What is considered an "infectious disease"?

An infectious disease is defined as a disease that can be transmitted from person to person. This definition encompasses a wide range of illnesses caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can spread through direct contact, respiratory droplets, or other modes of transmission. Understanding this concept is crucial in the context of public health and safety, especially in environments like salons and spas, where maintaining hygienic practices is essential to prevent the spread of infectious agents.

The other options, while related to the topic, do not accurately define an infectious disease. For instance, stating that an infectious disease is one that can be treated with antibiotics is not accurate for all infectious diseases, as some are viral rather than bacterial and therefore do not respond to antibiotics. Non-communicable diseases, which do not spread from person to person, also fall outside the definition of infectious diseases. Lastly, mentioning diseases that only affect animals points to zoonotic diseases which may not necessarily fit the definition of infectious as it pertains to human transmission.