Host factor
Host Factor
Host factor (pronunciation: /hoʊst 'fæktər/) is a term used in medicine and epidemiology to refer to the intrinsic properties of an organism that influence its susceptibility to infection or disease.
Etymology
The term "host factor" is derived from the English words "host" and "factor". The word "host" comes from the Old French hoste meaning "guest" or "stranger", and the Latin hospitem meaning "guest, stranger, sojourner, visitor (hence also 'foreigner')". The word "factor" comes from the Latin factor meaning "doer, maker", from facere "to do".
Definition
In the context of disease and infection, a host factor is any attribute of the host organism (such as age, sex, genetic makeup, or health status) that affects its vulnerability to infection or disease. Host factors can influence the severity of disease, the effectiveness of treatment, and the likelihood of recovery.
Related Terms
- Pathogen: A biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host.
- Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.
- Disease: A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any immediate external injury.
- Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
- Susceptibility: The lack of resistance to a disease or condition.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Host factor
- Wikipedia's article - Host factor
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