The acute disease in homeopathy is a clinical condition with a sudden onset, sudden progress and a sudden decline. Acute disease is mainly self-limiting in nature. It is characterized by the symptoms having a rapid onset. These symptoms are fairly intense and resolve in a short period of time. The common acute diseases are colds, flu, bronchitis, childhood illnesses, tonsillitis, appendicitis, ear aches, most headaches, sudden diarrhoea, most infectious disease.  In many cases there may not be many peculiar symptoms other than the disease symptoms to select a similimum or there may not be much time for a detailed case taking. In such cases, while taking the case, one has to give importance to the observation, objective signs or symptoms and any keynotes besides the major symptoms. Try to find the causation which would definitely help you in the prescription.

Acute homeopathic prescribing needs immediate attention and faster action. The remedies given in acute prescribing are intended to stimulate the body’s internal ability to heal itself. Usually the therapeutic books helps in finding remedies  for acute prescriptions.

Colds, influenza, cystitis (bladder infection), pneumonia, and otitis media (middle ear infection) are typical acute conditions. Bacterial infections are most often acute. Some viral conditions are acute, such as chicken pox or measles, while viral illnesses such as herpes or AIDS are chronic. Fungal infections may also be acute or chronic. Injuries and first-aid conditions are acute, though their results may become chronic or disabling if they are not treated immediately and effectively.

Illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, eczema, allergies, endocrine dysfunction, asthma, heart disease, and cancer are most often considered chronic conditions. The word chronic itself denotes length of time as a factor in the illness (from Greek, “chronos” = time). Chronic diseases tend to be long term while acute diseases tend to have a more rapid course. Chronic conditions, though long term, may have an initial acute phase, or other times when the illness becomes sharply worse for a limited period. These exacerbations may, at times, be confused with acute illness.