prodrome n : an early symptom that a disease is developing or that an attack is about to occur [syn: prodroma]

English

Noun

prodrome

1. an early symptom warning of the onset of a disease

Translations

In medicine, a prodrome is an early non-specific symptom (or set of symptoms) indicating the start of a disease before specific symptoms occur. For example fever, malaise, headache and anorexia (lack of desire to eat) are part of the prodrome for mumps or a variety of infective disorders. A prodrome can be the precursor to the onset of a chronic neurological disorder such as migraine or epilepsy, where prodrome symptoms include scotoma, disorientation, aphasia, or photosensitivity.

It also refers to the initial in vivo round of viral replication.

Prodromal labour, also called "false labour," is the early signs before labour starts. See Braxton Hicks.