Which term describes an individual likely to contract disease due to weakness?

• A. Susceptible Host
• B. Portal of Exit
• C. Mode of Transmission
• D. Portal of Entry

Answer: (A)

Susceptibility to infection means an individual's defenses are weakened, making them more likely to contract a disease when exposed to a pathogen. A susceptible host is someone whose immune response or overall health is compromised—due to illness, chronic disease, poor nutrition, fatigue, stress, or lack of vaccination—so exposure can lead to illness. The other terms describe how the infection moves through the environment: where the pathogen leaves its reservoir, the means by which it spreads, and the route it uses to enter a new person. In athletic settings, a person with an open wound, fatigue, or immune compromise represents a susceptible host, which is why protecting those with weakened defenses is a focus of infection control. The term for an individual likely to contract disease due to weakness is susceptible host.