Chapter 39, Problem 2Q

Do all people who contact an infected individual acquire the disease?

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

If all the people who contact an infected individual acquire the disease.

Introduction:

Infectious diseases or infections are caused by pathogens like fungi, parasites, viruses or bacteria that can affect an organism indirectly or directly. Symptoms of disease depend on the type of organism responsible for causing the infection.

Explanation of Solution

Transmission of the disease is the process of spreading pathogen or causative agent between different hosts. A pathogen may spread between the host of the same species or different species. The mode of transmission of different pathogens varies depending on its life cycle and growth requirement. Transmission of the pathogen occurs through the following routes:

• Contact transmission: Some pathogens may infect a healthy individual by mere contact either direct or indirect, with the infected individual. Direct contact includes physical contact in the form of sexual intercourse, kiss, breastfeeding, during pregnancy or birth and through mucous. When a healthy individual acquires infection through sharing objects or medical equipment with the infected individual, it is termed as indirect contact transmission.
• Vehicle transmission: Vehicle transmission includes vehicles like air, water, and food, which when contaminated can transmit the pathogen into a healthy individual.
• Vector transmission: A biological or mechanical vector such as fly, is involved in the transmission of the pathogen. Mechanical vectors are involved in only transmitting a pathogen from one to another host whereas the biological vector itself acts as a host for the reproduction cycle of the pathogen, like in the case of malaria.

Therefore, the transmission of infection from an infected person to a healthy person depends on the pathogen and its mode of transmission. Hence, all people who come in contact with an infected individual do not acquire the disease.

Conclusion

Transmission of infection from an infected person to a healthy person depends on the pathogen and its mode of transmission. Hence, all people who come in contact with an infected individual do not acquire the disease.