Acute – describes an illness that comes abruptly and often lasts a short time, such as an ear infection or sore throat. Chronic – describes an illness or a condition that lasts for 3 months or more, ...

Acute pain is sharp, sudden, and short-lived discomfort. It typically lasts only a brief time. Though it may not be serious, it could point to an underlying problem in some cases. Acute pain comes on ...