MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Acute

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Acute

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Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Acute vs. chronic conditions

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

Definition Return to top

Acute means sudden or severe. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.

Update Date: 10/20/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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