What does the term "infectious" imply about a disease?

The term "infectious" specifically refers to a disease that can be transmitted from one person to another, either through direct contact, droplets, or vectors such as insects. This transmission indicates that the causative agents, like bacteria or viruses, are capable of spreading between individuals, leading to potential outbreaks in populations.

Understanding infections in this context is crucial since it emphasizes the importance of infection control practices, especially in environments like barbering, where close contact with clients can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. Other aspects, such as whether a disease is fatal, caused by nutritional deficiencies, or curable, are not inherent to the definition of "infectious." Thus, they do not characterize the primary quality of infectious diseases which is their capacity for transmission.