Host factor

WikiDoc Resources for Host factor
Articles
Most recent articles on Host factor Most cited articles on Host factor Review articles on Host factor Articles on Host factor in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Host factor Images of Host factor Photos of Host factor Podcasts & MP3s on Host factor Videos on Host factor
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Host factor Bandolier on Host factor TRIP on Host factor
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Host factor at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Host factor Clinical Trials on Host factor at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Host factor NICE Guidance on Host factor NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Host factor CDC on Host factor
Books
Books on Host factor
News
Host factor in the news Be alerted to news on Host factor News trends on Host factor
Commentary
Blogs on Host factor
Definitions
Definitions of Host factor
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Host factor Discussion groups on Host factor Patient Handouts on Host factor Directions to Hospitals Treating Host factor Risk calculators and risk factors for Host factor
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Host factor Causes & Risk Factors for Host factor Diagnostic studies for Host factor Treatment of Host factor
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Host factor
International
Host factor en Espanol Host factor en Francais
Business
Host factor in the Marketplace Patents on Host factor
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Host factor

Overview

Host factor is a medical term referring to the traits of an individual person or animal that affect susceptibility to disease, especially in comparison to other individuals. The term arose in the context of infectious disease research, in contrast to "organism factors", such as the virulence and infectivity of a microbe. Host factors that may vary in a population and affect disease susceptibility can be innate or acquired. Some examples:

• general health
• psychological characteristics and attitude
• nutritional state
• social ties
• previous exposure to the organism or related antigens
• haplotype or other specific genetic differences of immune function
• substance abuse
• race

The term is now used in oncology and many other medical contexts related to individual differences of disease vulnerability.

Template:WikiDoc Sources Template:WH