Which term describes the invasion of a host by pathogens causing illness?

Which term describes the invasion of a host by pathogens causing illness?

• A. Infectious Disease
• B. Pathogens
• C. Communicable Disease
• D. Chain of Infection

Answer: (A)

Illness caused by pathogens invading and multiplying in the body is described as an infectious disease. This term focuses on the outcome—the disease state that occurs when a pathogen gains entry and causes symptoms. The organisms themselves are called pathogens, which are the agents of disease, not the disease itself. Communicable disease refers to whether a disease can be spread between people, not the invasion process or the illness it produces. The chain of infection describes how disease is transmitted through a system of steps, not the illness itself. For example, an influenza infection occurs when the influenza pathogen invades the host and causes illness, which is why infectious disease is the correct term.

Illness caused by pathogens invading and multiplying in the body is described as an infectious disease. This term focuses on the outcome—the disease state that occurs when a pathogen gains entry and causes symptoms. The organisms themselves are called pathogens, which are the agents of disease, not the disease itself. Communicable disease refers to whether a disease can be spread between people, not the invasion process or the illness it produces. The chain of infection describes how disease is transmitted through a system of steps, not the illness itself. For example, an influenza infection occurs when the influenza pathogen invades the host and causes illness, which is why infectious disease is the correct term.