Which definition describes disease?

• A. An impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
• B. A type of virus
• C. A severe allergic reaction
• D. A breath inhalant

Answer: (A)

Disease is best described as an impairment of health or a condition where normal body functions are disrupted. This focuses on how illness affects overall health and the body’s ability to function, rather than naming a specific cause or a single type of agent. A virus is an infectious agent that can lead to disease but isn’t the definition itself. A severe allergic reaction is a specific immune response that can occur in some cases, not the general meaning of disease. A breath inhalant is simply a substance taken into the body, not an indication of illness. So the definition that centers on impairment of health or abnormal functioning most accurately captures what disease means.