The term health is very frequently used by everybody. How do we define it? Health does not simply mean ‘absence of disease’ or ‘physical fitness’. It could be defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. When people are healthy, they are more efficient at work. This increases productivity and brings economic prosperity. Health also increases longevity of people and reduces infant and maternal mortality  .When the functioning of one or more organs or systems of the body is adversely affected, characterised by appearance of various signs and symptoms, we say that we are not healthy, i.e., we have a disease. Diseases can be broadly grouped into infectious and non-infectious.A wide range of organisms belonging to bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths, etc., could cause diseases in man. Such diseasecausing organisms are called pathogens. Most parasites are therefore pathogens as they cause harm to the host by living in (or on) them. The pathogens can enter our body by various means, multiply and interfere with normal vital activities, resulting in morphological and functional damage. Pathogens have to adapt to life within the environment of the host. For example, the pathogens that enter the gut must know a way of surviving in the stomach at low pH and resisting the various digestive enzymes.

The disease that are transmitted from person to person by direct contact are termed as :

Contagious disease 

The correct answer is option (1) - Contagious disease

Contagious disease: This term refers to diseases that are easily spread from person to person through various means, including direct contact. Contagious diseases are often caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The transmission can occur through respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

For the options you provided:

Contagious disease is the correct term for diseases transmitted from person to person by direct contact. Examples include the common cold, influenza, chickenpox, and certain sexually transmitted infections.

Deficiency disease refers to disorders caused by the lack of essential nutrients in the diet. These are not typically transmitted from person to person through direct contact.

Congenital disease is a condition that is present at birth and is not transmitted from person to person. It often results from genetic factors, environmental influences, or a combination of both.

Non-contagious disease is a broad term that includes conditions that are not easily transmitted from person to person. This category encompasses various health issues, including genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and many chronic conditions. Non-contagious diseases may have complex causes, including genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences.