Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What term describes a disease that does not show any visible signs?

1. Clinical

2. Subclinical

3. Acute

4. Chronic

The correct answer is: Subclinical

The term that describes a disease that does not show any visible signs is "subclinical." A subclinical disease is one where the individual may be harboring an infection or condition without exhibiting overt symptoms or noticeable clinical manifestations. This means that while the disease is present, it does not yet produce symptoms that can be easily observed or diagnosed through clinical evaluation. In contrast, the other terms have different contexts. "Clinical" refers to diseases or conditions that are manifesting significant symptoms and are detectable through medical examination. "Acute" describes conditions that have a rapid onset and often a short duration, usually with clear and observable signs. "Chronic" pertains to diseases that are long-lasting and often feature persistent symptoms; these are also typically visible and can be monitored over time. Thus, "subclinical" is the appropriate term for undetectable or asymptomatic states of disease.