Chronic vs.
Acute Medical Conditions
Chronic Acute
What's the difference between acute and chronic conditions?
• Acute illnesses generally develop
suddenly and last a short time, often only
a few days or weeks.
• Chronic conditions develop slowly and
may worsen over an extended period of
time—months to years.
What are the causes of acute and chronic conditions?
• Acute conditions are often caused by a
virus or an infection but can also be
caused by an injury resulting from a fall or
an automobile accident, or by the misuse
of drugs or medications.
• Chronic conditions are often caused by
unhealthy behaviors that increase the risk
of disease—poor nutrition, inadequate
physical activity, overuse of alcohol, or
smoking. Social, emotional,
environmental, and genetic factors also
play a role. As people age, they are more
likely to develop one or more chronic
conditions.
What are the symptoms, and how do you treat acute and chronic conditions?
• Acute diseases come on rapidly, and are accompanied by distinct symptoms that require
urgent or short-term care, and get better once they are treated. For example, a broken bone
that might result from a fall must be treated by a doctor and will heal in time. Sometimes, an
acute illness, such as the common cold, will just go away on its own. Most people with acute
illnesses will soon recover. If hospitalized for an acute illness, after your condition improves,
you’ll likely be eager to return to the comfort and familiarity of home.
• Chronic conditions are slower to develop, may progress over time, and may have any number
of warning signs or no signs at all. Common chronic conditions are arthritis, Alzheimer's
disease, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease. Unlike
acute conditions, chronic health conditions cannot be cured—only controlled. Frequently,
chronic conditions can be prevented by practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as staying
physically active; maintaining a healthy weight and nutritional status; limiting sun exposure;
and refraining from drugs, smoking, and excessive alcohol use.
acute chronic
• Asthma attack • Alzheimer’s disease
• Broken bone • Arthritis
• Bronchitis • Chronic obstructive pulmonary
• Burn disease (COPD)
• COVID-19 • Depression
• Common cold • Diabetes
• Flu • Heart disease
• Heart attack • High blood pressure
• Pneumonia • High cholesterol
• Respiratory infection • Obesity
• Strep throat • Osteoporosis
