a sudden, extreme infection that lasts a short time, then goes away
Any infection that begins suddenly, with intense or severe symptoms, is called acute. If the illness lasts more than a couple of weeks, it is called chronic.
those that generally appear suddenly or last a short time
Any infection characterised by signs and symptoms that last for a short period of time. Acute infection with hepatitis C is often very mild, lasts less than 6 months (often less than 12 weeks) and goes unnoticed by many people.
The time period just after a person is first infected with HIV and before he/she is able to mount an antibody response that is detectable by conventional HIV tests. Frequently accompanied by "flu-like" symptoms such as fever, rash, enlarged lymph nodes, joint and muscle aches, fatigue, etc. Also called primary infection. See HIV Basics section Symptoms of HIV for a description of the early infection period and symptoms.
An acute infection occurs in the first 6 months of a personĂ¢â‚¬(tm)s exposure to the hepatitis B virus.
Relatively brief infections, i.e. a few days to a few weeks, following which the virus is usually eliminated completely from the body by the immune system.