Question

an individual who carries staph but isnt sick is referred to as __________. colonized evolving infected resistant cured

Explanation:

• Colonized: When an individual carries a microorganism (like staph) but does not show symptoms of illness, the term “colonized” is used. Colonization means the microorganism is present on or in the body but has not caused an infection (symptomatic disease).
• Evolving: This term refers to the process of change in the genetic composition of a population over time. It has no relation to carrying a microorganism without being sick.
• Infected: Infection implies that the microorganism has caused a disease state, i.e., the individual is sick. But the question states the person isn’t sick.
• Resistant: Resistance usually refers to the ability of an organism (like bacteria) to withstand the effects of a drug (e.g., antibiotic - resistant bacteria). It is not about carrying a microorganism without illness.
• Cured: Cured means that a previously existing disease has been eliminated. But here, there was no illness in the first place (just colonization).

Answer:

colonized