prodrome

American  

[proh-drohm] / ˈproʊ droʊm /

noun

Pathology.

1. an early symptom that signals the onset of an illness or disease; a symptom or series of symptoms that precedes the more obvious, diagnosable symptoms that develop along with the condition.

   A bout of headaches and/or fatigue is not an unusual prodrome of Lyme disease.

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prodrome British  

/ ˈprəʊdrəʊm, prəʊˈdrɒmɪk /

noun

1. med any symptom that signals the impending onset of a disease

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Other Word Forms

• prodromal adjective

Etymology

Origin of prodrome

First recorded in 1635–45; from French, from New Latin prodromus, noun use of Greek pródromos “running before”; pro- ², -drome

Example Sentences

"While we're not suggesting that these conditions alone can be a predictor of MS, they may be one piece of the MS prodrome puzzle and a potential signal when combined with other factors."

From Science Daily • Sep. 25, 2023

The study builds on previous work from Dr. Tremlett's lab showing that other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anemia and pain may also be part of the MS prodrome.

From Science Daily • Sep. 25, 2023

If you often get food cravings before migraine headaches, it’s still a good idea to take note of them, along with other prodrome phase symptoms, so you can prepare for what’s coming.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2022

The loss of the specific diagnosis may lead clinicians to mistake the panicky prodrome as brain inflammation or psychosis—and leave parents in the dark that much longer.

From Slate • Jul. 8, 2016

In her talks, Gupta shows a video of an 8-year-old boy with sandy blond hair in a terror-filled prodrome.

From Slate • Jul. 8, 2016