GC: n
S: CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section10.html (last access: 15 May 2021); NHS – https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/C-diff-Carrier-Leaflet.pdf (last access: 15 May 2021).
N: 1. late 14c., “one who or that which conveys,” agent noun from carry (v.). Meaning “person or animal that carries and disseminates infection without suffering obvious disease” is from 1899; genetic sense is 1933. As a short form of aircraft carrier it dates from 1917. Carrier-pigeon, one of a breed trained to convey from one place to another written messages tied to its leg (also homing-pigeon), is from 1640s.
2. A person or animal that harbors a specific infectious agent without discernible clinical disease and serves as a potential source of infection. The carrier state may exist in an individual with an infection that is inapparent throughout its course (commonly known as healthy or asymptomatic carrier), or during the incubation period, convalescence and postconvalescence of an individual with a clinically recognizable disease (commonly known as an incubatory or convalescent carrier). Under either circumstance the carrier state may be of short or long duration (temporary or transient carrier, or chronic carrier).
3. A host that harbors a disease from which it has recovered or to which it is immune and that may therefore transmit it to others.
4. Applied to a person (carrier) or an animal (carrier animal).
5. Phraseology: asymptomatic carrier animal, symptomatic carrier animal.
S: 1. OED – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=carrier (last access: 15 May 2021). 2. UCLA FSPH – http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/Bioter/anthapha_def_a.html (last access: 15 May 2021). 3 to 5. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=carrier&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 15 May 2021).
SYN: pathogen carrier
S: TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=carrier&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 15 May 2021)
