Final answer:
The statement is false; conditions with rapid onset and short recovery are known as acute diseases, whereas chronic illnesses have an extended duration, often lasting for a lifetime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a condition characterized by a rapid onset and a short recovery time is a chronic illness is False. A chronic illness typically has an extended duration, lasting for months or even years, and may be lifelong, as in the case of type 1 diabetes or certain cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, an acute disease has a rapid onset and a short course, such as influenza or tetanus. Examples of chronic diseases include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some infectious diseases like herpes and AIDS, whereas acute diseases are often infectious and resolve quickly or lead to the death of the individual.