What does infectious disease mean in medical terms?

An infection is a disease caused by the invasion of a pathogen in the body. A pathogen is any microorganism that can cause disease. Infections can be contagious, meaning they can be spread from one person to another, or they can be noncontagious, meaning they can be spread through contact with a contaminated item or person. Symptoms of infection vary greatly depending on the type of pathogen, as well as the body’s reaction to the infection.

What does infectious disease mean in terms of tuberculosis?

tuberculosis is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In most cases, people infected with tuberculosis do not develop symptoms. This is known as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). About one in five people infected with tuberculosis will develop symptoms within three years if they are not treated. The disease is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or spits.

What does infectious disease mean in terms of infection?

An infection is any condition in which the body’s own defenses are damaged such that disease-causing microorganisms can establish residence in the body. Any part of the body can be affected, with some infections being more dangerous than others. If the infection is not treated in a timely manner, it can spread to other parts of the body.

What does infectious disease mean in terms of malaria?

Malaria is a disease that is caused by infection with a parasite of the Plasmodium species. It is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of malaria usually appear about three to five days after infection and can include fever, headache, chills, vomiting, and muscle aches. Rarely, malaria can be spread through blood transfusion and organ transplantation, so anyone who has traveled in an area where malaria is prevalent should consult a doctor if they develop symptoms.

What does infectious disease mean in terms of medicine?

Infectious disease is a very broad term used by doctors to describe diseases caused by microorganisms. There are many different types of microorganisms that can cause infection. Most of these are fungi or bacteria, but some viruses can also cause disease.