What does isolation refer to in public health practices?

Isolation in public health practices specifically refers to the separation of individuals who are showing symptoms of a communicable disease from those who are healthy. This practice is crucial for controlling the spread of infectious diseases, as it helps to prevent individuals who are symptomatic— and potentially contagious—from interacting with others and thereby transmitting the disease.

Isolation is typically applied to individuals who have been diagnosed or suspected of being infected with pathogens that can be spread to others, ensuring that they receive the necessary care while minimizing the risk of infection to the broader community. This differs from quarantine, which is applied to individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease but are not yet showing symptoms. In the context of public health, the emphasis on symptoms is key, as it targets those who are actively capable of spreading the disease.