Acute illnesses last a short time but can be mild or severe, while chronic diseases persist for three months or more and require medical attention. Subacute diseases fall between acute and chronic illnesses. Examples include colds, flu, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Many people confuse the difference between an acute illness and a chronic illness. An acute illness lasts only a short time, but it can start quickly and have intense symptoms. Conversely, a chronic disease produces symptoms that last for three months or more.
acute
Often people are confused about what constitutes an acute illness. They believe that an acute illness is always serious. In fact, an acute illness can be mild, severe, or even fatal. The term “acute” does not indicate the severity of the disease. Instead, it indicates how long the disease lasts and how quickly it develops. Examples of acute illnesses include colds, flu and sore throats.
chronic
A chronic disease is persistent. It lasts for a long time and may recur. Like an acute disease, a chronic disease can be mild, severe, or fatal. Examples of chronic diseases include cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. Unlike an acute disease, it is likely a chronic disease
develop over time instead of having an abrupt onset.
Treatment of acute diseases
Some acute illnesses may resolve on their own without significant medical attention or treatment. For example, an individual might recover from the flu at home without taking prescribed medications or seeking medical attention. Pneumonia, on the other hand, is an acute illness that often requires medical attention and prescription medication. Hospitalization is also often required.
Treatment of chronic diseases
Chronic diseases often require the care of medical professionals and the use of prescribed medications. Sometimes hospitalization is also necessary. For example, an individual who has diabetes may need to see a doctor regularly and take prescribed medications. An individual who has kidney disease may require professional medical care, medication, and dialysis. Frequently, medical intervention might put an individual who has a chronic illness at ease or might reduce symptoms, but chronic illnesses often cannot be cured.
Subacute diseases
Diseases that fall between what are normally considered acute diseases and chronic diseases are sometimes referred to as subacute diseases. An illness may be considered acute initially, then subacute after a few days or weeks. If the disease continues for several months, it could be termed a chronic disease. There are no standard time periods used to determine whether a disease is acute, subacute or chronic, so their precise definitions can vary, depending on who is making the determination.
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