Which term means sudden onset of a disease?

• A. Chronic
• B. Subacute
• C. Acute
• D. Latent

Answer: (C)

Sudden onset is described by the term acute. Acute means symptoms appear rapidly and are usually severe, with a short duration. In contrast, chronic refers to conditions that persist a long time, subacute sits between acute and chronic in onset and duration, and latent means the disease is present but not currently active or producing symptoms. For example, acute appendicitis comes on suddenly, whereas chronic hypertension develops slowly and lasts, and a latent infection remains hidden until it reactivates.