Communicable diseases are also known as _____________ diseases.
Epidemics
Transmissible
Rodent
Contaminated
Transmissible
The correct option is Transmissible.
Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) that can be passed or spread from one person, animal, or object to another.
Because these diseases can be transmitted (transferred) from a host to another susceptible individual, they are also commonly referred to as transmissible diseases.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:
- Epidemics: This term refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a given population or area, rather than being a synonym for communicable.
- Rodent: This refers to a type of animal (like rats or mice) that can carry or spread certain diseases, but it is not a synonym for communicable diseases as a whole.
- Contaminated: This describes objects, food, or water that have been tainted by infectious agents or toxins, but it is not another name for the diseases themselves.