Question

Interval between infection and appearance of disease is called :

• A. Inoculation period
• B. Incubation period
• C. Infection period
• D. Penetration period

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Incubation period

1. The starting point is the moment when a pathogen enters the host: this moment is often referred to as 'exposure moment'.
2. In the next stage, the pathogen will multiply and the host immune system will start a response. This is the start of the infectious process, where cellular and humoral host defenses will be activated.
3. The period between exposure and infection is called 'latent period', since the pathogen is present in a 'latent' stage, without clinical symptoms or signes of infection in the host.
4. The period between exposure and onset of clinical symptoms is called 'incubation period'.

So, the correct answer is 'Incubation period'.