Whenever we get sick, we depend on a doctor’s expertise and knowledge to help us get healthy again. This isn’t just when it comes to serious conditions, but also common conditions that can simply be very uncomfortable or inconvenient. But did you know that a lot of common conditions could quickly turn very serious—and possibly fatal—if they are left untreated?
A common condition might get left untreated in several different ways. For one, a doctor might fail to order the right testing, and you’re told your symptoms should clear up on their own—when in fact, you have something that needs a simple treatment. On the other hand, you might receive the wrong medication or the wrong dosage—or you might get misdiagnosed altogether. Other times, a doctor might get you the treatment you need, but after the condition has progressed to a much more serious state.
Some of the following are common conditions that can possibly turn deadly if they’re left untreated:
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections, especially in women, are very common and can be easily treated with the right antibiotic. However, because these infections are also resistant to certain types of antibiotics, it’s imperative that the correct antibiotic is prescribed. Untreated urinary tract infections can quickly spread to the kidneys, and serious kidney infections can result in sepsis, also known as blood poisoning.
Heartburn
Just about everyone gets heartburn occasionally, and most of the time, it can be a perfectly normal (and harmless) response to certain foods. However, it’s always important to get your doctor’s advice to ensure you don’t actually have GERD, a much more serious version of heartburn. Untreated GERD can increase your risk of esophagus cancer, so if this a condition you’re dealing with, you’ll want to receive proper treatment quickly.
Pneumonia
There are several different types of pneumonia, and the severity of this condition will depend on the type, as well as the patient’s age and overall health. While pneumonia can be fairly common and easily treatable, it can also turn deadly when a serious case is not treated promptly or correctly.
Have you or a loved one suffered as the result of a negligent doctor? You may be entitled to monetary compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Whether it was a medication error or a misdiagnosis, our medical malpractice lawyers are here to help. Contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Andres, Berger & Tran today to learn more and to discuss the details of your case.
