Question

Once host defenses have been overcome and disease has developed, a ___ period follows incubation in some diseases; it is marked by early, mild signs/symptoms such as aches and malaise.

a) Prodromal
b) Latent
c) Convalescent
d) Chronic

Answer 1

The period following the incubation phase that is marked by early, mild signs and symptoms such as aches and malaise is known as the prodromal period, which is answer option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

Once host defenses have been overcome and disease has developed, a prodromal period follows incubation in some diseases; it is marked by early, mild signs/symptoms such as aches and malaise. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is option a) Prodromal.

The prodromal period occurs after the incubation period. During this phase, the pathogen continues to multiply and the host begins to experience general signs and symptoms of illness, which typically result from the activation of the immune system, such as fever, pain, soreness, swelling, or inflammation. These signs and symptoms are typically too general to indicate a particular disease. The prodromal period is followed by the period of illness, where the signs and symptoms are most obvious and severe.