types of carriers
active carrier
someone who has been exposed to and carries a pathogen and has for an extensive period of time. the person also may have recovered from the disease and still be active
direct transmission
there must be a physical method of contact in order for transmission of the pathogen to occur. Usually this is through person to person contact
case
a person who has been confirmed to have a disease, disorder, or condition
taking preventative measures to avoid from getting a disease, disorder, or injury
epidemic
there is a more than average amount of cases in a population for a specific disease or behavior
healthy or passive carrier
someone who has been exposed to and carries a pathogen but doesn't show any symptoms and isn't sick
indirect transmission
the pathogen is transmitted through airborne droplets or dust particles, vectors, fomites, or food
primary case
the first case of a disease in a given population
active primary prevention
the person is actively involved in preventative measures such as exercising or quitting to smoke
endemic
there is the usual amount of cases for a disease in a population for the time period
intermittent carrier
someone who has been exposed to and carries a pathogen and can spread the disease at different periods of time
airborne transmission
the pathogen is transmitted in the air through droplets or dust particles that then enter the respiratory system
secondary case
the person who develops symptoms and falls ill after coming into contact with the primary case
passive primary prevention
the person does not have to make any changes to their lifestyle such as drinking fluoridated water
pandemic
an epidemic that affects a large number of people such as a country, continent, or even the whole world
incubatory carrier
someone who has been exposed to and carries a pathogen, is beginning to fall ill with the disease, is showing symptoms, and can transmit the disease to others
vehicle-borne transmission
when a nonliving or inanimate object is the reservoir for a pathogen. this can include bedding, water, or medical equipment
suspect case
someone who displays the symptoms of a disease but has not been confirmed as having the disease
secondary prevention
done through early detection and treatment of diseases to ensure the person is as healthy as possible
propagated
occurs when infections are transmitted from one person to another
convalescent carrier
someone who carries a pathogen and is still infectious even though they are recovering from the disease
vector-borne transmission
transmitted through insects that carry the pathogen that then passes it on to a host
index case
the first case that the epidemiologist is made aware of
tertiary prevention
the disease has already been detected and now treatment and therapies are needed to help any symptoms or damage caused by it
mixed epidemic
an epidemic that can come from a specific source or can be transmitted from person to person