Accedas

Definition & Etymology

Accedas is an archaic medical term for the onset or paroxysm of a disease (from Latin accessus, ‘an attack’). It specifically describes a sudden attack of symptoms, particularly the classic triad of chills (rigors), high fever, and profuse sweating. Its use is fundamentally linked to the cyclical febrile episodes of malaria, where the term captured the predictable pattern of attacks followed by periods of remission.

Clinical Significance

The term’s significance is primarily historical, from an era focused on descriptive symptomatology. It enabled classification of fevers based on the timing of paroxysms (e.g., tertian or quartan malaria). Physiologically, the malarial accedas corresponds to the synchronous rupture of infected erythrocytes and the massive release of parasites and pyrogens into the bloodstream. In modern medicine, the term is obsolete, replaced by more precise descriptors like ‘febrile paroxysm’ or ‘acute exacerbation,’ which are applied to a wider range of conditions.

Related Conditions

Beyond its quintessential link to Malaria, the concept of accedas historically applied to other conditions with relapsing fevers. These include infections like Relapsing Fever (borreliosis) and Brucellosis (undulant fever), as well as the non-infectious Pel-Ebstein fever pattern sometimes seen in Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In each case, it described the acute, symptomatic flare-up of an intermittent or chronic disease process.

Key Takeaways

• Definition: Accedas is an obsolete term for the paroxysm or attack of a disease, classically involving chills, fever, and sweating.
• Primary Association: It is most famously linked to the periodic febrile episodes of malaria, which correlate with the parasite’s life cycle.
• Modern Status: The term is no longer used in clinical medicine, having been superseded by more specific terms like ‘paroxysm’ and ‘febrile episode’.

Note: This content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.