Convalescence Explained

Convalescence is the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness or injury.

Details

It refers to the later stage of an infectious disease or illness when the patient recovers and returns to previous health, but may continue to be a source of infection to others even if feeling better.^[1] In this sense, "recovery" can be considered a synonymous term. This also sometimes includes patient care after a major surgery,^{[2] [3]} under which they are required to visit the doctor for regular check-ups.^{[4] [5]}

Convalescent care facilities are sometimes recognized by the acronym TCF (Transitional Convalescent Facilities).^[6]

Traditionally, time has been allowed for convalescence to happen. Nowadays, in some instances, where there is a shortage of hospital beds or of trained staff, medical settings can feel rushed and may have drifted away from a focus on convalescence.^[7]

See also

• Rehabilitation, therapy to control a medical condition such as an addiction
• Recuperation (recovery), a period of physical or mental recovery
• Recuperation (sociology), a sociological concept
• Relapse, reappearance of symptoms
• Remission, absence of symptoms in chronic diseases

Notes and References

1. Cole WH, Keeton RW, Calloway NO, Glickman N, Mitchell HH, Dyniewicz J, Howes D . Studies in Postoperative Convalescence . Annals of Surgery . 126 . 4 . 592–609 . October 1947 . 17859018 . 1803419 . 10.1097/00000658-194710000-00017 .
2. Bisgaard T, Kehlet H, Rosenberg J . Pain and convalescence after laparoscopic cholecystectomy . The European Journal of Surgery = Acta Chirurgica . 167 . 2 . 84–96 . February 2001 . 11266262 . 10.1080/110241501750070510 .
3. Laplace . Convalescence from surgical procedures. I. Studies of the circulation lying and standing, of tremor, and of a program of bed exercises and early rising . American Heart Journal . February 1946 . 31 . 2 . 249 . 10.1016/0002-8703(46)90635-7.
4. Tui C, Wright AM, Mulholland JH, Carabba V, Barcham I, Vinci VJ . Studies on Surgical Convalescence I-Sources of Nitrogen Loss Postgastrectomy and Effect of High Amino-Acid and High Caloric Intake on Convalescence . Annals of Surgery . 120 . 1 . 99–122 . July 1944 . 17858477 . 1617881 . 10.1097/00000658-194407000-00013 .
5. Encyclopedia: 'Doing the Month': Confinement and Convalescence of Chinese Women After Childbirth . 1978 . Barbara L.K. . Pillsbury . vanc . The Embryo Project Encyclopedia . 12 . 1B . 11–22 . 565536 . 2018-07-12 . 2018-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180712184641/https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/doing-month-confinement-and-convalescence-chinese-women-after-childbirth-1978-barbara-lk . dead .
6. 2015-10-23. Transitional Convalescent Facilities (TCF): a pilot alternative rehabilitation programme for patients who require a longer term of rehabilitation. The Gerontologist. en. 55. Suppl_2. 719. 10.1093/geront/gnv358.02 . free.
7. Book: Francis, Gavin . Recovery : the lost art of convalescence . 2022 . 978-1-80081-048-8 . London . 1285689647.