Final answer:
The period when signs and symptoms of a disease stop is known as remission. It occurs after the period of illness and indicates improvement where signs and symptoms decrease, eventually leading to the recovery phase known as the period of convalescence. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
A time when signs and symptoms stop is known as remission. Remission is a term used in medicine to describe a period during which the symptoms of a chronic illness are reduced (partial remission) or disappear entirely (complete remission).
The periods of disease typically include the incubation period, the prodromal period, the period of illness, where the pathogen count and symptoms peak, the period of decline, which sees a reduction in pathogen count and symptoms, and the period of convalescence.
During the period of decline, there is a decrease in the severity of signs and symptoms, signalling the move toward remission. However, it's important to note that during this time, patients may become susceptible to secondary infections as their immune systems have been weakened by the primary infection.
Finally, the period of convalescence is when the patient generally returns to normal functions, although some diseases can cause permanent damage that the body cannot fully repair. The correct option is A.