Z22: Carrier of infectious disease

A "Carrier of infectious disease", as denoted by the ICD-10 grouping Z22, refers to individuals who harbor a specific infectious agent or disease but may not exhibit symptoms of the disease. These individuals can still spread the infection to others. Carriers can have either a temporary or a long-term status. Temporary, or acute, carriers often harbor the disease for a short period, such as during the incubation period of an illness, or during non-apparent stages of a disease. Long-term, or chronic, carriers may carry the disease for months or even years, potentially over their entire lifetime. The diseases they carry can vary widely - from bacterial, like Staphylococcus, to viral, like Hepatitis B. Carriers play a significant role in the spread of infectious diseases across populations. They may be unaware of their carrier status, which further complicates disease prevention and control efforts.