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Classification of Infectious Diseases Overview

May 12, 2025

Infectious Disease Classification

Types of Infectious Diseases

Noncommunicable Diseases

  • Definition: Diseases not spread from one host to another or from person to person.
  • Example:
    • Tetanus: Acquired from environmental sources like soil. It cannot be transmitted from an infected person to another.

Communicable Diseases

  • Definition: Diseases that are spread from one host to another.
  • Examples:
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Spread through sexual contact from an infected person to another.

Contagious Diseases

  • Definition: A subset of communicable diseases that are spread easily and rapidly from one host to another.
  • Examples:
    • Influenza: Commonly spread through airborne droplets.
    • Measles: Extremely contagious; can be transmitted from a room that an infected person occupied up to 4 hours prior. If no immunity is present, there's over a 90% chance of contracting measles after exposure.

Summary

  • Noncommunicable Diseases: Not spread from person to person.
  • Communicable Diseases: Spread from one person to another.
  • Contagious Diseases: Easily and quickly spread from one person to another.