prodrome

noun

pro·​drome ˈprō-ˌdrōm 

plural prodromes

: one or more symptoms that signal the impending onset of disease or illness and that often appear before other closely related or indicative symptoms

In May 1993, an outbreak of an acute illness characterized by a prodrome of fever and variable respiratory symptoms, followed by a rapid progression to respiratory failure, was identified in young adults of the southwestern United States.

—Sandra K. Schwarcz et al.

Examples of prodrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some people may also have trouble focusing their vision during the prodrome phase. —Yuliya Klochan, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

The trick, of course, is that the prodrome phase might intensify those cravings. —Julia Ries, SELF, 14 July 2023

This is known as prodrome, or the first phase of a migraine.1 There are four phases of a migraine: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome phases. —Yuliya Klochan, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

After exposure, the prodrome of high fever begins about 10 to 12 days later and the rash appears around 14 days later. —Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

What to do when prodrome symptoms hit During the prodrome phase, there’s typically no sharp, wincing pain (like there is an attack), outside of some potential stiffness in your muscles. —Julia Ries, SELF, 14 July 2023

In fact the American Migraine Foundation states that most people with migraine will notice at least one or more signs of the prodrome phase (pre-headache or premonitory phase) about 24–48 hours before the main attack, although not necessarily before every episode. —Sara Lindberg, SELF, 22 Feb. 2022

Some people with migraine also experience fleeting blind spots or flashing lights during their prodrome (an early phase that signals the onset of other symptoms of migraine), or more rarely, what’s known as an ocular or retinal migraine, which can involve temporary loss of vision in one eye. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2022

The first phase is called the prodrome, explains Dawn Buse, a clinical professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. —Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, precursor, from Greek prodromos, from pro- before + dromos act of running, racecourse — more at pro-, dromedary

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

prodrome

noun

pro·​drome ˈprō-ˌdrōm 

: one or more symptoms that signal the impending onset of disease or illness and that often appear before other closely related or indicative symptoms

… anthrax begins with a prodrome featuring fever, malaise, and fatigue. A nonproductive cough and vague chest discomfort may be present. This prodrome may be followed by symptomatic improvement for 2 to 3 days or may progress directly to the abrupt onset of severe respiratory distress with dyspnea, stridor, diaphoresis, and cyanosis.

—David R. Franz et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association

called also prodroma