Outline of infectious disease concepts
Open-knowledge reference entry
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to concepts related to infectious diseases in humans.
Infection – Subsequent to their transmission via environment and evasion or overcoming of defense, the entry/invasion, establishment, and replication of disease-causing microscopic organisms (pathogens or agents) inside a host organism, and the reaction of host tissues to them and to the toxins they produce.
Infectious disease – illness or disorder when pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites invade and multiply within the body of a host organism and release toxins, causing various clinical symptoms which can potentially lead to severe health complications or even death. Infectious diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from person to person, from animal to animal, or from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases), or through environmental exposure. They can be treated with medical interventions or prevented before they happen.
Determinants
Agent
Infectious agent (also known as pathogen) – a biological entity (microscopic or macroscopic) that causes disease or illness in its host by invading and multiplying within the host's body, disrupting its normal physiological functions and leading to clinical symptoms (i.e. an infectious disease).
Pathogens and related disciplines
There are mainly seven types of pathogenic microorganisms: viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, other parasites and abnormal proteins called prions.
Host
Host – a living organism, typically a human or animal, that harbors a pathogenic microorganism, providing the environment and resources necessary for it to survive, grow, and potentially reproduce or multiply. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two organisms, which can be commensal (mutually beneficial), but in the case of infectious diseases, harmful for the host.
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