Which term describes a diarrheal disease of rapid onset lasting less than two weeks?

• A. Acute Infectious Gastroenteritis
• B. Chronic diarrhea
• C. Irritable bowel syndrome
• D. Inflammatory bowel disease

Answer: (A)

A diarrheal illness that starts suddenly and lasts less than two weeks is best described as acute infectious gastroenteritis. The key idea is the rapid onset combined with a short, self-limited duration, which points to an acute infection of the gastrointestinal tract often caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. This term captures the typical clinical picture: sudden diarrhea (often with or without vomiting and fever) that resolves within days to about a couple of weeks.

The other terms describe different patterns. Chronic diarrhea lasts for weeks or longer and isn’t limited to a short, acute episode. Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder with recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, not primarily driven by an infectious process or an acute onset. Inflammatory bowel disease involves chronic inflammation with a relapsing course and may include blood in the stool, weight loss, and other systemic signs, not just a short diarrheal episode.

So the best fit for rapid onset with a duration under two weeks is acute infectious gastroenteritis.