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

A contagious disease is transmitted from one living being to another by direct or indirect contact. The agent responsible is called infectious.
An infectious diseaseis caused by a pathogenic organism.
A contagious disease is an infetious one that can be passed on either by direct contact like touching or indirect where the organisms are passed on on an object that can carry them.

Answer 2

disease that is "contagious" is usually passed on from one individual to another through touch — the contact could be with the individual who has the disease, or with an object that the individual has touched. Measles and chicken pox, I am told, are contagious. "Infectious" suggests that the disease is either air-borne or water-borne; one doesn't need to be in direct contact with the infected individual. The germs that invade your body multiply, causing the body to become weak. Both words can be used figuratively as well. For example, one can talk about "infectious enthusiasm" or "contagious enthusiasm". You can also refer to someone's laughter being "contagious" or "infectious". In both these cases, the words can be used interchangeably.

Answer 3

Contagious is ...like something that can be spread by bodily contact. Someone with chicken pox is contagious. Infectious is doesn't require contact. Someone with the flu wipes their nose with their hand, then uses the phone, and someone else uses it after them and gets sick..you understand?

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 !!!