the communication of disease by direct or indirect contact.

a disease so communicated.

the medium by which a contagious disease is transmitted.

harmful or undesirable contact or influence.

the ready transmission or spread as of an idea or emotion from person to person

a contagion of fear.

noun

bane , contamination , corruption , illness , miasma , pestilence , plague , poison , pollution , taint , transmission , venom , virus , canker , toxin , contagium , disease , epidemic , infection , pox