Introduction to Infectious Diseases

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the topic of infectious diseases, covering key terms and their definitions.

Infectious Disease

An illness caused by a pathogen or its products that has been transmitted from an infected person or a reservoir either directly or indirectly.

Pathogen

An infectious agent, such as a bacteria, virus, or parasite, that causes disease.

Reservoir

The natural habitat of the infectious agent; it is important for survival and reproduction of the agent.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.

Incubation Period

The time between pathogen entry and the onset of clinical signs and symptoms.

Convalescence

The phase where signs and symptoms begin to disappear after an illness.

Carrier

An infected person or animal that harbors a specific infectious agent without showing visible clinical disease.

Endemic

Persistent occurrence of a disease within a specific geographic area or population.

Epidemic

An occurrence clearly in excess of the expected level for a given time period.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, affecting a large number of people.

Modes of Transmission

Ways in which infectious agents are spread, such as aerosol, contaminated water or food, and vectors.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive.

Herd Immunity

A form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population becomes immune.

Bioterrorism

The intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants.

Vector

An organism, often an insect, that transmits disease-causing pathogens.

Virulence

The ability of a pathogen to cause disease, often measured by the severity of the disease it causes.

SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus.

Zoonoses

Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans.

Prion

Infectious agents composed of protein that can cause neurodegenerative diseases.