Carriers

Definition:

       A carrier is defined as “an infected person or animal that harbours a specific infectious agent in the absence of discernible clinical disease and serves as a potential source of infection for others”.

Element: The elements in a carrier state are:

(a) The presence in the body of the disease agent

(b) The absence of recognizable symptoms and signs of disease, and

(c) The shedding of the disease agent in the discharges or excretions, thus acting as a source of infection for other persons.

Classification of Carriers: Carriers may be classified as below-

A. Type

            a. Incubatory

            b. Convalescent

            c. Healthy

B. Duration

            a. Temporary

            b. Chronic

C. Portal of Exit

            a. Urinary

            b. Intestinal

            c. Respiratory

            d. Others