An illness that develops or becomes noticeable over a relatively short period and generally has a limited or short-term course.
An acute illness may begin suddenly or develop over several hours or days. It can be caused by infections, injuries, inflammatory conditions, medication reactions, or other processes. Examples include influenza, acute gastroenteritis, a common cold, and an acute asthma exacerbation.
“Acute” describes the time course of an illness rather than its severity. An acute illness can be mild and resolve without treatment, or it can be severe and require urgent medical care.
QUICK FACT
Acute does not necessarily mean sudden, severe, or dangerous. It primarily describes an illness with a relatively short-term course.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Chronic Illness: An acute illness has a relatively short-term course, whereas a chronic illness persists or recurs over a prolonged period.
SEE ALSO
