Disease Spread
What is endemic?
A disease that is always present in a specific geographic area
What is direct transmission?
When an infected person comes into direct physical contact with another individual
What is an infectious agent?
Microorganism that causes the disease
What is an index case?
The first identified disease case by health authorities
What is primary prevention?
Actions taken to stop the disease before it starts
What is epidemic?
A sudden increase in the number of disease cases that exceeds the expected level
What is indirect transmission?
Transmission occurs through another object or organism
What is a reservoir?
Where the infectious agent normally lives, multiplies, and can potentially be transmitted to other hosts
What is an active carrier?
An infected person who shows symptoms and can transmit the disease
What is secondary prevention?
Actions to detect and treat the disease in its early stages, often before symptoms appear
What is pandemic?
A worldwide spread of a new disease
What is airborne transmission?
When infectious particles remain in the air and are inhaled by individuals
What is a portal of exit?
The path by which an infectious agent leaves its reservoir to potentially infect another host
What is a healthy or passive carrier?
An infected person who shows no symptoms but can still transmit the disease
What is a tertiary prevention?
Actions to manage and reduce complications of an existing disease
What is an outbreak?
An unexpected local rise in cases that could lead to an epidemic if not controlled
What is vector-borne transmission?
Transmission through mosquitos or ticks
What is a mode of transmission?
The specific ways by which an infectious agent spreads from one host to another host
What is an incubatory carrier?
A person who can transmit the disease before showing any symptoms
What is an active primary prevention?
Type of prevention that requires individual behavior change, such as exercising or quitting smoking
What is sporadic?
A disease that occurs occasionally and irregularly
What is vehicle-borne transmission?
Transmission through contaminated food or water
What is a susceptible host?
A host that is vulnerable to becoming infected by infectious agents
What is a suspect case?
A person whose signs and symptoms are consistent with a disease but has not yet been confirmed by lab tests
What is rehabilitation?
The process of restoring health and functional ability after an illness or injury