The terms "asymptomatic carrier" and "incubatory carrier" refer to different states of infection within a host concerning infectious diseases.
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Asymptomatic Carrier:
- An asymptomatic carrier is an individual who is infected with a pathogen (such as a virus or bacterium) but does not exhibit any symptoms of the disease. Despite their lack of symptoms, they can still spread the infectious agent to others. These carriers are often identified in the context of diseases where some individuals can harbor and transmit the pathogen without showing obvious signs of illness (e.g., Typhoid fever, COVID-19).
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Incubatory Carrier:
- An incubatory carrier is an individual who has been infected with a pathogen and is in the incubation period of the disease. During this time, the infectious agent is multiplying in the host's body, but the individual is not yet showing symptoms. However, incubatory carriers can also be contagious and may spread the disease to others before they develop visible signs of illness.
In summary:
- An asymptomatic carrier does not show symptoms at any point, whereas an incubatory carrier is in the early phase of infection and has not yet developed symptoms but may soon do so. Both types of carriers can contribute to the spread of infections in a population.