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Infectiousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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infectiousness

 

[ɪnˈfɛkʃəsnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

spread of disease

The quality or state of being infectious, especially the degree to which a disease can be transmitted from person to person.

Synonyms

contagiousness, transmissibility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infectiousness

This term is used to describe how easily a disease can be spread between individuals, typically through pathogens like bacteria or viruses. It generally focuses on the biological aspect of the disease.

  • The infectiousness of the virus increased with each mutation.
  • Understanding the infectiousness of the disease helps in planning public health measures.
contagiousness

This word describes how easily a disease can spread from person to person, often through direct contact or close proximity. It is commonly used in discussions about diseases that spread quickly among people.

  • The contagiousness of the flu makes annual vaccinations important.
  • Doctors were concerned about the contagiousness of the outbreak in the crowded refugee camp.
transmissibility

Refers to the capability of a disease or condition to be passed from one person or organism to another. This term is often used in scientific and medical contexts to discuss the mechanisms and rate at which diseases are transmitted.

  • Researchers are studying the transmissibility of the new virus variant.
  • High transmissibility of the disease necessitated stricter quarantine measures.

Examples of usage

  • The infectiousness of the flu virus is a major concern during flu season.
  • The infectiousness of COVID-19 led to a global pandemic.
Context #2 | Noun

person's ability to spread disease

The ability of an individual to transmit a disease to others.

Synonyms

contagiousness, transmissibility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infectiousness

Informal discussions about how easily something can spread from one person to another, typically regarding diseases.

  • The infectiousness of the flu means it can affect many people in a short period.
  • His speech had an infectiousness that made everyone want to join the cause.
contagiousness

Used to describe how quickly and easily a disease can be passed from person to person, often in a more general context.

  • The contagiousness of the common cold requires frequent handwashing.
  • Parents are concerned about the contagiousness of lice in schools.
transmissibility

Scientific or medical discussions that focus on the ability of a disease or virus to be passed from one individual to another.

  • Researchers are studying the transmissibility of the new virus strain.
  • The transmissibility of measles is higher compared to many other infectious diseases.

Examples of usage

  • The infectiousness of an individual with measles is high.
  • The infectiousness of a person with a cold can vary depending on the strain.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'infectio,' meaning 'to taint or corrupt,' reflecting how an illness can spread.
  • The suffix '-ness' indicates a state or quality, combining to express the quality of being able to infect.

Science

  • Infectious diseases can be caused by germs like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
  • The R-naught (R0) value indicates how many people, on average, one infected person will spread the disease to, highlighting its contagiousness.
  • Vaccination plays a crucial role in reducing the infectiousness of many diseases, limiting their spread.

Psychology

  • Emotions and moods can also be 'infectious' in social settings, influencing group dynamics and individual feelings.
  • The social contagion theory explains how behaviors and feelings can spread through groups, similar to physical infections.

Pop Culture

  • Many films and books, such as 'Contagion,' explore themes of infectiousness and pandemics, reflecting public fear and fascination.
  • Songs like 'Infectious' by the band 'Set Your Goals' use the term metaphorically to describe spreading love or joy.

History

  • The Black Death in the 14th century underscored the infectiousness of diseases and their ability to decimate populations.
  • Historical accounts highlight how infected sailors aboard ships spread diseases to coastal cities, changing the course of history.

Translations

Translations of the word "infectiousness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 infectividade

🇮🇳 संक्रामकता

🇩🇪 Ansteckungsgefahr

🇮🇩 infektivitas

🇺🇦 заразність

🇵🇱 zakaźność

🇯🇵 感染力 (かんせんりょく)

🇫🇷 infectiosité

🇪🇸 infecciosidad

🇹🇷 bulaşıcılık

🇰🇷 전염성 (jeonyeomseong)

🇸🇦 عدوى (ʿadwāʾ)

🇨🇿 infekčnost

🇸🇰 infekčnosť

🇨🇳 传染性 (chuánrǎnxìng)

🇸🇮 nalezljivost

🇮🇸 smitnæmi

🇰🇿 жұқпалылық

🇬🇪 ინფექციურობა (infektsiruba)

🇦🇿 yoluxuculuq

🇲🇽 infecciosidad

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,879, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.