Asymptomatic carrier
Asymptomatic Carrier
Asymptomatic carrier (pronunciation: /ˌeɪsɪmptəˈmatɪk ˈkærɪər/) is a term used in Epidemiology to describe a person or organism that has contracted an Infectious disease, but who displays no signs or symptoms. Despite not feeling sick, asymptomatic carriers can still spread the disease to others.
Etymology
The term "asymptomatic" comes from the Greek word "symptoma," which means "an occurrence, sign, or indication." The prefix "a-" negates the word, thus "asymptomatic" means "without signs or indications." The term "carrier" in this context, refers to an individual who harbors the disease.
Related Terms
- Symptomatic: Refers to a person who is showing symptoms of a disease.
- Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Transmission (medicine): The passing of a pathogen causing communicable disease from an infected host individual or group to a particular individual or group.
- Epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
- Pandemic: An epidemic of disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents, or worldwide.
See Also
- Typhoid Mary: The first person in the United States identified as an asymptomatic carrier of the pathogen associated with typhoid fever.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Asymptomatic carrier
- Wikipedia's article - Asymptomatic carrier
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