Final answer:
The prodromal period is the stage where a patient starts showing general signs and symptoms of a disease, indicating its onset.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of disease during which the patient begins to present general signs and symptoms is referred to as the prodromal period. This phase follows the incubation period and precedes the period of illness. During the prodromal period, the patient may experience non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, or a mild fever, which indicate that an infection or disease is developing but not yet fully manifest.