What describes a sudden and severe symptom in medicine?

The term "fulgurant" aptly describes a sudden and severe symptom in medicine. This word is derived from the Latin "fulgur," which means "lightning." It conveys the idea of an event or condition that occurs with intense and rapid onset, similar to the speed and severity of a lightning strike. In a medical context, fulgurant symptoms can indicate a critical or acute medical situation that requires immediate attention due to their sudden and intense nature.

In contrast, the other terms provided have different meanings that are not aligned with describing sudden and severe symptoms. "Chronic" refers to conditions that develop slowly over time and persist for a long duration, while "subacute" describes a state that is less severe than acute but still significant. "Intermittent" indicates symptoms that occur sporadically or alternate between active and inactive phases, rather than presenting suddenly and severely. Thus, "fulgurant" is the most appropriate term to characterize sudden and severe medical manifestations.