What is infectious and non-infectious?

Answer 1

Diseases can be infectious and non-infectious. Infectious diseases are caused by a pathogen such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Infectious diseases can be spread from person to person, through indirect contact, through vectors, and from contaminated food and water. Examples include the flu, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and foodborne illness.

Non-infectious diseases are caused by a wide variety of risk factors such as diet, genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices.  They are also known as chronic diseases. Examples include diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases.