convalescent

Convalescent is an adjective describing someone who is recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, or a noun referring to such a person. It derives from Latin convalescere, meaning to become strong again. In medical contexts, it designates the phase following the acute illness when symptoms have improved but full strength has not yet returned.

The convalescent period varies with the condition and individual, often emphasizing rest, proper nutrition, gradual activity, and careful monitoring for relapse. Convalescent care can occur at home or in a dedicated facility. The term also appears in phrases such as convalescent leave, used in military or civil service to describe temporary release for recuperation, and convalescent care units within hospitals.

Historically, convalescent homes and hospitals operated to provide supervised recuperation, especially for tuberculosis and other long-term illnesses. In modern health care, the language has shifted toward rehabilitation, post-acute care, or recovery services, though the concept remains recognized in clinical notes and patient care planning.

Related terms include convalescence, rehabilitation, recuperation, convalescent leave, and convalescent home.