Relaps

Relapse is the recurrence of disease activity after a period of improvement or remission. In medicine, relapse describes the return of symptoms or laboratory abnormalities after a patient has experienced a partial or complete recovery. The term is used across many conditions, including addiction, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and neurological diseases. In substance use disorders, relapse commonly refers to returning to substance use after a period of abstinence, often preceded by cravings, stress, or exposure to triggers. In multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases, a relapse denotes the appearance of new or worsening symptoms lasting at least 24 hours, not attributable to other causes such as infection or fever. In oncology, relapse means the cancer returns after a period of remission, either in the original location or elsewhere. In infectious diseases, relapse can occur when pathogens persist or re-emerge after initial treatment, sometimes due to antibiotic resistance or incomplete therapy.

Causes of relapse are multifactorial and may include incomplete adherence to treatment, insufficient treatment duration, withdrawal effects, psychosocial stress, comorbid conditions, or biological factors such as immune change. Diagnosis typically relies on clinical history and examination, supported by laboratory tests, imaging, or disease-specific markers to distinguish relapse from relapse-like phenomena such as pseudo-relapse or withdrawal.

Management aims to minimize the impact, shorten relapse duration, and prevent future episodes. Approaches include ongoing maintenance therapies, treatment adjustments, early intervention when symptoms recur, and behavioral interventions such as counseling and relapse-prevention programs. The prognosis after relapse varies with the condition, severity, and timeliness of response to treatment.