Which term refers to diseases that can be spread between people?

• A. Communicable
• B. Noncommunicable
• C. Recalcitrant
• D. Sporadic

Answer: (A)

Communicable diseases are those that can be transmitted from one person to another, which is exactly what this item is asking you to identify. They spread by direct contact, respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, or vectors like mosquitoes. For example, influenza and measles are communicable. Noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease, aren’t spread from person to person. Recalcitrant describes something resistant or stubborn, typically to treatment, not to transmission. Sporadic refers to diseases that occur irregularly or in isolated cases, not to how they spread. So the term that best fits the description of diseases that can be spread between people is communicable.