UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) Practice Test

What is the meaning of 'contract' regarding illness?

1. To recover from a disease

2. To be diagnosed with a disease

3. To enable immunity to disease

4. To catch or become ill with a disease

The correct answer is: To catch or become ill with a disease

The term 'contract' in relation to illness is often used to describe the action of acquiring or catching a disease. This definition aligns with the chosen answer, as it conveys the notion that an individual has become infected or affected by an illness, indicating the onset of the disease. This terminology is commonly used in medical discussions when referring to infectious diseases where an organism acquires pathogens, leading to illness. The other interpretations, while related to health and illness, do not capture the acquisition aspect elegantly defined by 'contract.' For example, recovery from a disease refers to gaining health after illness, which is the opposite action. Being diagnosed with a disease indicates the identification or recognition of an illness rather than the act of catching it. Enabling immunity relates to the body's ability to resist infections but does not specifically communicate the action of becoming ill. Thus, the correct answer represents the accurate usage of 'contract' in a medical context.