infectious disease

American  

[in-fek-shuhs di-zeez] / ɪnˈfɛk ʃəs dɪˈziz /

noun

1. a disease caused by a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism, and often spreading by contact between individuals or by a vector such as an insect: ID

   Chicken pox and cholera are infectious diseases.

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infectious disease Scientific  

1. A disease caused by a microorganism or other agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that enters the body of an organism.

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Etymology

Origin of infectious disease

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

“Flu started to rise, in earnest, by mid-December and rates are still up,” said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional physician chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente.

From Los Angeles Times

It also highlights how ancient DNA can illuminate the deep history of infectious diseases, showing how short-lived childhood infections can eventually become part of the human genome.

From Science Daily

Leprosy, he told them, is one of the least contagious of all infectious diseases; he’d never caught it himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

A drop in NK cells can weaken immune performance, raising the likelihood of various health issues, including infectious diseases, cancers, and mental health conditions such as depression.

From Science Daily

According to the authors, 44 countries have seen tenfold increases in at least 13 infectious diseases compared with levels observed before the pandemic.

From Science Daily