Exacerbation /(ĕgz*ăs`ẽr*bā"shŭn)/

Ex·ac·er·ba·tion

Exacerbation

n.
  1. The act of rendering more violent or bitter; the state of being exacerbated or intensified in violence or malignity; as, exacerbation of passion.
  2. A periodical increase of violence in a disease, as in remittent or continuous fever; an increased energy of diseased and painful action. (Med.)