contagious disease

noun

plural contagious diseases

: an infectious disease (such as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water

Note: The terms contagious disease and communicable disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis that are spread by contact with disease vectors (such as mosquitoes or ticks) are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.

Examples of contagious disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Societies have a long history of blaming marginalized communities for the spread of contagious diseases. —Tony Leys and Amy Maxmen, USA TODAY, 26 May 2024

Loading your audio article Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg started his jail sentence Wednesday in a Rikers Island jail originally built to house people with contagious diseases, jail records show. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2024

Measles infection The contagious disease spreads through person-to-person contact and through the air and is preventable through vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024

Your baby—as well as every member of your household—will also be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease. —Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

contagious disease

noun

: an infectious disease (as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water

Note: The terms contagious disease and communicable disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases (as malaria or schistosomiasis) that are spread by contact with disease vectors (as mosquitoes or ticks) are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.