Definition Flashcards
Infection
The colonisation of an individual (host) by a foreign microorganism.
Pathogen
Infection agent that can cause harm; can live within or on the host and disrupt normal physiological function
Disease
Occurs when normals bodily functions are sufficiently imparted to reduce performance, leading to specific recognisable clinical signs.
Contagious
Spread through contagion directly or indirectly from one individual host to another.
Transmissibility
The capacity to pass from one host the another, typically determined by the ability of the pathogen to survive outside the body
Infectivity
The ability to penetrate host defences
Pathogenicity
The ability of a pathogen to cause disease, and it is dependent on both its capacity to spread and its ability to harm the host, or virulence
Epidemiology
The study of the occurrence, spread and distribution of disease in populations and is of vital importance in the design and monitoring of effective control policies
Endemic
A disease present at a normal level in a country or region.
Epidemic
A disease where a pronounced increase in incidence has been observed within s country or geographical region.
Pandemic
Epidemic disease that spreads across many countries or continents
Epizootic
Animal disease epidemic
Commensal
Organisms that share the body but usually do no harm, and may even help to prevent the colonisation of more harmful organisms
Subclinical infection
The animal is infected but does not show any clinical signs of disease. There is a possible risk of transmission to other animals
Incubation period
The time between exposure to the causal agent and the first clinical signs appearing
