What is used to separate ill persons who have a communicable disease from those who are healthy?

• A. Isolation
• B. Quarantine
• C. Screening
• D. Monitoring

Answer: (A)

Separating ill persons who have a communicable disease from those who are healthy is called isolation. The aim is to prevent transmission by removing people who can spread infection from contact with healthy individuals, typically until they are no longer infectious (for example, until symptoms resolve or contagious tests are negative). Quarantine, by contrast, applies to people who have been exposed but are not yet ill, restricting their movement during the incubation period to see if disease develops. Screening is about testing a group to identify cases, including many who may not have symptoms, rather than separating infected individuals from others. Monitoring refers to ongoing observation of people or populations to detect changes or progression. Isolation best fits the need to physically separate those who are contagious from the healthy.