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

In February, an infant who had traveled overseas was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024

Which contagious disease is seeing a rise in the US? 7. —CNN, 21 Mar. 2024

Birds can carry highly contagious diseases affecting poultry, like the virulent Newcastle disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. —Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024

If there were no cases of this highly contagious disease, there would be no more measles. —Paul Law, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to complications and turn deadly, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024

Here’s how to protect yourself against the highly contagious disease this spring break. —The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024

In the face of such a contagious disease, 95 percent would be good; 99 percent much better. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024

Measles quickly spreads Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through respiratory droplets released by coughing and sneezing. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 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.