Definition
noun, plural: communicable diseases
A type of disease that is contagious since the agent of the disease may be transmitted from the infected host to another. Transmission may be involving fluid exchange or exposure to vectors contaminated by the infective agent.
Supplement
A communicable disease may be transmitted through fluid exchange (e.g. blood exchange with an infected host) or by a vector (e.g. contaminated surfaces, fomite, air, foods, animals, etc.). Examples of communicable diseases are AIDS, herpes, mumps, chicken pox, cough, etc.
Synonym(s):
Compare:
