What defines a susceptible host?

What defines a susceptible host?

• A. An individual who is at risk of infection due to factors like age, sex, nutritional status, and disease process.
• B. A person with immunization
• C. A pathogen
• D. A sterile surface

Answer: (A)

Susceptible host means a person whose defenses are weakened or overwhelmed, making infection after exposure more likely. Key factors include age (very young or older adults with weaker immunity), nutritional status (malnutrition impairs immune response), and the presence of disease or treatment that suppresses immunity (such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, chemotherapy, or steroids). When these host factors are present, the person is at higher risk of infection once a pathogen is encountered. Immunization strengthens defenses and reduces susceptibility, while a pathogen is the infectious agent and a sterile surface is not a host.

Susceptible host means a person whose defenses are weakened or overwhelmed, making infection after exposure more likely. Key factors include age (very young or older adults with weaker immunity), nutritional status (malnutrition impairs immune response), and the presence of disease or treatment that suppresses immunity (such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, chemotherapy, or steroids). When these host factors are present, the person is at higher risk of infection once a pathogen is encountered. Immunization strengthens defenses and reduces susceptibility, while a pathogen is the infectious agent and a sterile surface is not a host.