What is the definition of prodromal?

Prodromal refers to the initial, early symptoms or signs of a disease or illness that precede the characteristic, more obvious symptoms.

Think of it as the "warning signs" that something is about to happen.

Here's an example:

* Prodromal symptoms of the flu might include:

* Mild fatigue

* Headache

* Sore throat

* Runny nose

These symptoms often appear a day or two before the more obvious flu symptoms like fever, chills, and muscle aches.

In short:

* Prodromal = Early, precursory symptoms.

* It helps to predict the onset of a disease or illness.

* It can be used to identify potential cases early on, allowing for faster treatment and potentially preventing the spread of the disease.