Health, Disease Classification, and Epidemiology Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering health definitions, disease classifications, epidemiological terms, and disease transmission factors.

Health

A state of complete physical, Mental & social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity according to the WHO.

Disease

Derived from Dis + ease (lack of ease or comfort), defined as any change from the normal state that causes discomfort or impairs health.

Pathology

The study of disease.

Etiology

The study of the cause of disease, such as M. tuberculosis being the etiology of TB.

Prophylaxis

An attempt to prevent a disease, such as BCG vaccination for TB.

Congenital Disease

Diseases that are present by birth, such as Down's syndrome, sickle cell anemia, Congenital rubella, and Congenital Heart disease.

Acquired Disease

Diseases that are developed after birth, such as Tuberculosis, typhoid, and cancers.

Communicable / Infectious Disease

Diseases that can be transmitted from one person to another, caused by pathogens like viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and worms.

Non-Communicable Disease

Diseases which cannot be transmitted from one person to another, caused due to deficiencies or other non-infectious factors, such as Kwashiorkor, Cancer, and Heart disease.

Mode of Transmission

The route by which an infectious agent is transmitted from a reservoir to another host.

Host

An organism that is vulnerable of being infected by a specific agent.

Incubation Period

The time interval between entry of pathogen & appearance of symptoms.

Window Period

The period between infection to the time when it can be detected in Laboratory, during which antibody tests are negative.

Agent / Etiological Factor

A pathogen that causes disease.

Vector

An insect or any living carrier that transports an infectious agent from an infected individual to a susceptible individual or its food or immediate surrounding.

Carrier

An individual who can tolerate the infection without being ill & able to transmit the pathogen to others, to cause infection & illness in other.

Epidemiological Triad

A triad model consisting of the Agent, Host, and Environment.