Which term is used for a medical condition that occurs suddenly but tends to resolve quickly?

The term that describes a medical condition occurring suddenly and tending to resolve quickly is "acute." Acute conditions typically manifest rapidly and may include symptoms that are intense but usually have a short duration. For instance, an acute infection might develop overnight and culminate in symptoms such as fever and pain but resolve after a brief period of treatment or self-care.

In contrast, chronic refers to conditions that are long-lasting and typically persist over an extended period, often requiring ongoing management. Subacute is used for conditions that fall between acute and chronic; these might last longer than acute issues but are not as enduring as chronic conditions. Persistent denotes problems that continue to occur or remain for an indefinite period, which is not aligned with the characteristic of resolving quickly. Thus, "acute" is the correct term for conditions that are sudden in onset and generally short-lived.