What does the term 'Communicable' mean?

What does the term 'Communicable' mean?

• A. A disease requiring isolation
• B. Bacterial infection only
• C. Any disease transmitted from one person to another
• D. Non-transmissible disease

Answer: (B)

Communicable means capable of being transmitted from one person to another. It covers infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites and can spread through direct contact, droplets, airborne routes, contaminated surfaces, or vectors. Among the options, the best fit is “Any disease transmitted from one person to another,” because it acknowledges that transmission can occur with various pathogens, not just bacteria. The idea that it’s limited to bacteria is too narrow, since viruses and other organisms can also be spread between people. The notion of isolation is a control measure, not the definition, and non-transmissible diseases are the opposite of what communicable means.

Communicable means capable of being transmitted from one person to another. It covers infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites and can spread through direct contact, droplets, airborne routes, contaminated surfaces, or vectors. Among the options, the best fit is “Any disease transmitted from one person to another,” because it acknowledges that transmission can occur with various pathogens, not just bacteria. The idea that it’s limited to bacteria is too narrow, since viruses and other organisms can also be spread between people. The notion of isolation is a control measure, not the definition, and non-transmissible diseases are the opposite of what communicable means.