Question

Which of the following terms best describes signs and symptoms that come and go?

a) Chronic
b) Acute
c) Episodic
d) Terminal

Answer 1

The term that best describes signs and symptoms that come and go is 'episodic'. A disease constantly present in a population is called 'endemic'. The period during which a patient starts to present general signs and symptoms is the prodromal period.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term that best describes signs and symptoms that come and go is c) Episodic. Episodic conditions are those where symptoms arise periodically, then subside, only to potentially reoccur again after some time. Unlike chronic conditions, which are long-lasting and persistent, episodic conditions fluctuate in severity and presence. An acute disease is short-term and often resolves itself or leads to the death of the individual, while a terminal illness is one that is expected to lead to death regardless of treatment.

Regarding the stages of a disease, the period during which a patient starts to present general signs and symptoms is known as the prodromal period. The periods of illness and decline in an acute disease are similar in that both are part of the disease’s active phase where symptoms are present, but they differ in the quantity of pathogen—decline is marked by a decreasing number of pathogens. What initiates the period of decline is typically the immune response becoming effective, possibly aided by medical treatment, which reduces the number of pathogens.

A disease that is constantly present in a population is called C. endemic. Differences between acute and chronic diseases include the duration of the illness, with chronic diseases having an extended period of illness, sometimes without active replication of the pathogen during dormant periods, as seen in latent diseases.

Answer 2

The correct answer is c) Episodic. Episodic means that the signs and symptoms come and go, or occur at irregular intervals. For example, some people may experience episodic pain, fatigue, or mood swings due to various factors such as stress, hormones, or illness. Episodic is different from chronic, which means that the signs and symptoms last for a long time or recur frequently. Acute means that the signs and symptoms are sudden, severe, or life-threatening. Terminal means that the signs and symptoms indicate a serious or fatal condition.

Some examples of conditions that can cause episodic signs and symptoms are:

• Pregnancy: Some women may experience changes in their symptoms such as nausea, breast tenderness, mood swings, or food cravings due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy.

• COVID-19: Some people may develop mild to moderate symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, headache, or fatigue due to infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Some people may have joint pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, fatigue, fever, or loss of appetite due to inflammation of the joints caused by an autoimmune disorder.