infectious disease

[in-fek-shuhs di-zeez]

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.

infectious disease

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of infectious disease¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

“Florida has seen spikes in infectious diseases like measles, diseases we had virtually eliminated before Ladapo took office. This decision… makes Floridians less safe.”

From Salon

Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, the regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said she received many calls related to outpatient cases of COVID-19 while on call over the Labor Day weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

The ouster of Dr. Susan Monarez, the CDC’s new director and an infectious disease expert who was just confirmed by 51 Republican senators in July, was unexpected.

From Salon

Medical director for The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Dr Catherine Monaghan, warned measles was dangerous and "one of the most infectious diseases in the world".

From BBC

The wide-ranging layoffs include employees working on the government's response to infectious diseases, including bird flu, as well as those researching environmental hazards and handling public record requests for information.

From BBC