What is an illness?
A) a nonexistent ailment (only diseases are real)
B) an artificial product of biomedicine
C) a scientifically described health threat
D) a purely linguistic problem
E) a condition of poor health perceived by an individual

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An illness is a condition of poor health that is perceived by an individual. It is often accompanied by symptoms that are subjective experiences reported by the patient. While diseases are scientifically described health threats that can be identified through laboratory tests or physical examinations, illnesses are more subjective experiences that reflect the patient's perception of their health status. A person can have an illness without having a diagnosable disease, and vice versa.

What Is an Illness