Acute care refers to the care of short-term conditions. When acute conditions receive treatment, they heal. An example of an acute injury is a broken bone. Once a broken bone is appropriately treated, the injury heals. Illnesses can be acute, as well. Examples include the common cold or pinkeye. After the illness receives treatment, symptoms subside and the ailment is healed. Even though it is still possible to contract the illness again, it is a separate incident and is not related to the first. Because it classifies something as persistent or long-lasting, chronic is the opposite of acute. The first time you get bronchitis, it is acute. When bronchitis lasts a long time or is a recurring problem, it is chronic.