Susceptible individual

Susceptible Individual

A Susceptible Individual (pronunciation: suh-sep-tuh-buhl in-duh-vij-oo-uhl) is a term used in Epidemiology and Public Health to describe a person or organism not possessing sufficient resistance against a particular pathogen to prevent contracting an infection or disease.

Etymology

The term 'Susceptible Individual' is derived from the Latin word 'susceptibilis' meaning 'receptive', and the Latin word 'individuus' meaning 'inseparable'. In the context of health and disease, it refers to an individual who is receptive or vulnerable to a disease or infection.

Related Terms

Immunity: The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.
Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Infection: The process of infecting or the state of being infected.
Disease: A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location.
Epidemiology: The branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.
Public Health: The health of the population as a whole, especially as monitored, regulated, and promoted by the state.