Asymptomatic: meaning, definitions and examples
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asymptomatic
[ ˌeɪsɪmˈptəmɛtɪk ]
health condition
Asymptomatic refers to a state in which an individual carries a disease or infection and displays no noticeable symptoms. This concept is crucial in the understanding of infectious diseases, especially during outbreaks where individuals can spread pathogens without showing signs of illness themselves. Asymptomatic individuals may unknowingly transmit diseases, making public health measures more challenging. Recognition of asymptomatic cases is essential for effective disease control and prevention strategies.
Synonyms
non-symptomatic, silent, symptomless.
Examples of usage
- Asymptomatic individuals can still spread the virus.
- Many patients are asymptomatic during the early stages of infection.
- Asymptomatic testing can help identify hidden outbreaks.
Translations
Translations of the word "asymptomatic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 assintomático
🇮🇳 लक्षणहीन
🇩🇪 asymptomatisch
🇮🇩 asimptomatik
🇺🇦 асимптоматичний
🇵🇱 bezobjawowy
🇯🇵 無症状の
🇫🇷 asymptomatique
🇪🇸 asintomático
🇹🇷 asimptomatik
🇰🇷 무증상의
🇸🇦 لا أعراض
🇨🇿 asymptomatický
🇸🇰 asymptomatický
🇨🇳 无症状的
🇸🇮 asimptomatski
🇮🇸 einkennalaus
🇰🇿 симптомсыз
🇬🇪 ასიმპტომური
🇦🇿 asimptomatik
🇲🇽 asintomático
Etymology
The term 'asymptomatic' derives from the prefix 'a-' meaning 'without' and 'symptomatic', which relates to symptoms. The word 'symptomatic' comes from the Greek word 'symptōma', meaning 'that which befalls' or 'a condition', combined with the suffix '-tic', used to form adjectives. The use of 'asymptomatic' in medical vocabulary began to gain traction in the mid-20th century as awareness of conditions that could be present without overt symptoms increased, particularly in chronic diseases and infectious diseases. The importance of identifying asymptomatic cases has been highlighted in various public health contexts, especially in relation to diseases such as tuberculosis and more recently, COVID-19, underscoring the term's relevance in epidemiology and public health management.