acute disease

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acute disease

pathology

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July 23, 2026

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An acute disease is characterized by a rapid onset and a relatively short duration. Examples include bronchitis, gastroenteritis, and the flu. This contrasts with chronic diseases, which are of longer duration.1

Acute inflammation is a key defense mechanism triggered by tissue damage or infection. It involves changes in blood flow, increased permeability of blood vessels, and the migration of white blood cells to the site of injury. The purpose is to eliminate the injurious agent and remove damaged tissue to facilitate healing. Common signs include redness, heat, swelling, and pain. While usually beneficial, acute inflammation can sometimes cause discomfort or, in certain cases, harm if regulatory mechanisms fail.23

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alcoholism
Acute diseases
Alcohol intoxication produces a wide variety of disturbances of neuromuscular and mental functions and of body chemistry. In addition, the intoxicated person is more liable to accidents and injuries. Alcoholics—who chronically experience severe intoxication—are said to be 30 times more liable to fatal…
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Alcohol intoxication produces a wide variety of disturbances of neuromuscular and mental functions and of body chemistry. In addition, the intoxicated person is more liable to accidents and injuries. Alcoholics—who chronically experience severe intoxication—are said to be 30 times more liable to fatal…
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bronchitis
…a relatively brief disease called acute bronchitis, or it can take the form of a long-standing, repetitive condition, called chronic bronchitis, that results in protracted and often permanent damage to the bronchial mucosa.
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…a relatively brief disease called acute bronchitis, or it can take the form of a long-standing, repetitive condition, called chronic bronchitis, that results in protracted and often permanent damage to the bronchial mucosa.
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mastitis
Acute mastitis in women is a sudden infectious inflammation caused usually by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, or sometimes by streptococcus organisms. It begins almost exclusively during the first three weeks of nursing and is limited to the period of lactation (milk production). The bacterial organisms…
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Acute mastitis in women is a sudden infectious inflammation caused usually by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, or sometimes by streptococcus organisms. It begins almost exclusively during the first three weeks of nursing and is limited to the period of lactation (milk production). The bacterial organisms…
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ear disease
Acute middle-ear infection
Fortunately, acute middle-ear infections, called acute otitis media, are nearly always due to microorganisms that respond quickly to antibiotics. As a result, acute infection of the mastoid air cells resulting in a dangerous mastoid abscess with the possibility of meningitis, brain abscess,…
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Fortunately, acute middle-ear infections, called acute otitis media, are nearly always due to microorganisms that respond quickly to antibiotics. As a result, acute infection of the mastoid air cells resulting in a dangerous mastoid abscess with the possibility of meningitis, brain abscess,…
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human disease
Disease: signs and symptoms
An acute disease process usually begins abruptly and is over soon. Acute appendicitis, for example, is characterized by the sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, and pain usually localized in the lower right side of the abdomen. It usually requires immediate surgical treatment. The term chronic refers…
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An acute disease process usually begins abruptly and is over soon. Acute appendicitis, for example, is characterized by the sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, and pain usually localized in the lower right side of the abdomen. It usually requires immediate surgical treatment. The term chronic refers…
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