Over Time, the Relationship Between a Pathogen and a Naïve

Question

Over time, the relationship between a pathogen and a naïve susceptible population tends towards
A) the extinction of the host.
B) the extinction of the pathogen.
C) a balance between host and pathogen such that both are maintained.
D) the extinction of either the host or the pathogen.

Accepted Answer

As the pathogen spreads through the susceptible population, some individuals develop immunity either through vaccination or from having a mild form of the disease. This creates a balance between the host and pathogen, where the pathogen is still present but does not cause severe illness, and the host population is able to handle the infection. This is often referred to as an "endemic equilibrium" or "steady state." In rare cases, the pathogen may become extinct, but this is not the typical outcome. Similarly, the host may become extinct in very severe cases, but this is also not the typical outcome.