Today is our topic of discussion Importance of Carrier
Importance of Carrier
Definition:
A carrier is an infected person or animal who does not have apparent clinical disease but is a potential source of infection to others.
It occurs either due to inadequate treatment or a weak immune response, the disease agent is not completely eliminated, leading to a carrier state. Three elements to happen to form a carrier state-
a. The presence in the body of the disease agent to ben zain,wo-izolls
b. The absence of recognizable symptoms and signs of disease
c. The shedding of disease agent in the discharge or excretions
Epidemiological importance of carriers:
They are less infectious than the cases, but more dangerous than the cases. Because they spread the disease silently among the susceptible individuals. That is why, cure and prevention of the disease is difficult.
Types of carrier:
Incubatory or precocious carriers:
These are individuals who shed the infectious agent during incubation period of the disease. They are capable of infecting others before the onset of illness. This usually occurs during the last few days of the incubation period; such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, influenza etc.
Convalescent carriers
are those who continue to shed the infectious agent during the period of convalescence. Example: Diphtheria, hepatitis B etc.
Healthy or asymptomatic carriers:
These are the persons whose infection remains unapparent. Example: Cholera, salmonellosis, poliovirus, meningococcus, hepatitis virus infections etc.
Chronic carriers:
The carrier state persists for a long period of time. Example: Typhoid fever & Hepatitis B virus infection.
Difference between vector and carrier:
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