What's the difference between contagious and infectious?

Question

I was at a party the other night were a guy posed this question and stated that there is no simple answer. I then asked if there actually is a difference between the two. That too, he responded stating that there is no simple answer. So first of all, is there a difference between contagious and infectious? If so, what is the difference? Thanks.

Answer 1

Actually, the difference between the two terms is subtle.

Infectious diseases are a BROAD umbrella term for diseases which are acquired from a pathogen. Contagious diseases are communicable person to person to animal to animal, usually within the same species, but can loosely be applied to diseases that can cross species lines (though in which case you'd be better off referring to them as zoonotic infections). anyway, All contagious diseases are infectious. But not all infectious diseases are contagious.

For example, malaria is an infectious diseases, but it is not contagious.

Answer 2

Infectious Vs Contagious

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

well it basically means the same thing but let me tell you the definition ok ? contagious is something you can spread like aids by having any kind of relationship with someone and u pass it infectiuos is when u can infect someone and it doesnt come from a particular party its just out there well hop it helps i mean i think it's basically the same !!!

Answer 5

There is no real difference if you are using it in the context of 'contagious/infectious laughter'. They are synonyms.

Answer 6

contagious is spread through contact
infectious could be airborne

Answer 7

Try looking them up (http://www.dictionary.com) and see if you get your answer by viewing their definitions.