Diseases that can spread from one person to another are referred to as?

The term that accurately describes diseases that can spread from one person to another is "contagious." Contagious diseases are specifically transmitted through direct or indirect contact between individuals. This can occur through various means, such as respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

Understanding the distinction between contagious and infectious conditions can be helpful. While all contagious diseases are infectious, not all infectious diseases are contagious. For example, certain infectious diseases can be spread through vectors like insects or through environmental exposure, rather than person-to-person transmission.

In addition to this, chronic diseases are long-lasting and generally persist over time, while acute diseases are characterized by a sudden onset and a relatively short duration. These classifications do not specifically address the mode of transmission from one person to another, which is the key aspect of contagious diseases. Therefore, referring to such diseases as contagious is wholly appropriate.