Quarantine Definition by Healthwise:
Quarantine and isolation are used to prevent the spread of a contagious disease and may be voluntary or enforced. A disease is contagious if it can be transmitted from person to person either by contact or being in close proximity. When people are isolated after becoming ill themselves with a contagious disease, it is referred to as “isolation.” The term “quarantine” refers to people who are not sick themselves, but who are known to have been exposed to the contagious disease. Through isolation and quarantine, spread of the disease can be limited. Not only people are quarantined. It may be applied to a physical area (e.g., building or bus), to objects (e.g., cargo or mail) and to animals (e.g., livestock or pets).
© 2010 Healthy Advice® Networks, LLC.
Healthy Advice® Networks provides award-winning health-education to you when and where you need it. Healthy Advice editorial content is researched and developed by experienced medical writers who work with practicing physicians to ensure accuracy. This website is for your educational use only. Talk to your doctor before making any lifestyle or medical treatment changes.