communicable disease

communicable disease

 [kŏ-mu´nĭ-kah-b'l]

a disease whose causative agents may pass or be carried from one person to another directly or indirectly. Modes of transmission include (1) direct contact with body excreta or discharges from an ulcer, open sore, or respiratory tract; (2) indirect contact with inanimate objects such as drinking glasses, toys, or bedclothing; and (3) vectors such as flies, mosquitoes, or other insects capable of spreading the disease. For special precautions to prevent the spread of communicable disease, see isolation. Called also contagious disease.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

com·mu·ni·ca·ble dis·ease

any disease that is transmissible by infection or contagion directly or through the agency of a vector.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

communicable disease

An infection by a pathogen which is easily spread by direct or relatively close contact.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

communicable disease

An infection by a pathogen that is easily spread by close or relatively close contact

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

com·mu·ni·ca·ble dis·ease

(kŏ-myūn'i-kă-bĕl di-zēz')

Any disorder that is transmissible by infection or contagion directly or indirectly or through the agency of a vector.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

communicable disease

An infectious disease. A disease capable of being transmitted, by any means, from one person to another.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

com·mu·ni·ca·ble dis·ease

(kŏ-myūn'i-kă-bĕl di-zēz')

Disorder that is transmissible by infection or contagion directly or through the agency of a vector.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about communicable disease

Q. Is psoriasis infectious? Last week I and my friends from high-school went to the pool. One of my friend has psoriasis on his back, and when the lifeguard noticed it he asked him to leave the pool because he has skin disease that may spread to the other people swimming in the pool. We told him it is psoriasis and not some fungus, but he told us that psoriasis is also infectious. Is that true? Can psoriasis infect people who come in touch with people with psoriasis? Can I go swimming with him or should be more cautious?

A. It is right that psoriasis is not a contagious skin condition. But your friend should take care. However keeping skin humid is better for Psoriasis patients as I recently read these tips at
http://www.vitiligoguide.com/psoriasis/

Q. Is leukemia contagious? A friend of mine got leukemia (blood cancer), can I get it from him if he bleeds and I touch the blood? Like HIV I mean.

A. No, you don't have to be afraid, no chance of that. Your friend will need you to pass this terrible illness. So I recommend learning a bit about leukemia so you understand it better and won't avoid your friend.
You can get information on those 2 sites:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/leukemia/DS00351

http://library.thinkquest.org/C006095/root/glossary.htm

Q. Is psoriasis contagious? My wife got psoriasis and I don’t want to get infected…

A. Psoriasis itself, as was written above, isn't contagious, i.e. if someone has psoriasis he or she can't transmit it to you. However, there is a form of psoriasis called psoriasis guttate that is associated with infection of the throat by a bacterium called streptococcus (which is contagious), so in some way it is contagious.

You may read more here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis#Types_of_psoriasis

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