Vector
Vector (medicine)
Vector (pronounced: /ˈvɛktər/) in the field of medicine refers to an organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another. Derived from the Latin word vector, meaning "carrier", it has been used in the medical field since the early 20th century.
Etymology
The term vector comes from the Latin vector, which means "one who carries or conveys". In the context of medicine, it was first used in the early 20th century to describe organisms that carry and transmit diseases.
Types of Vectors
There are several types of vectors in medicine, including but not limited to:
- Mosquitoes: These are vectors for many diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
- Ticks: Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Fleas: Fleas are vectors for diseases such as plague and typhus.
Related Terms
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Host: An organism that harbors a parasitic, a mutualistic, or a commensalist guest (symbiont), typically providing nourishment and shelter.
- Disease transmission: The passing of a disease from an infected host individual or group to a particular individual or group, regardless of whether the other individual was previously infected.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vector
- Wikipedia's article - Vector
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