What do we call an infection or disease that originates outside the body?

An infection or disease that originates outside the body is referred to as exogenous. This term is used in medical terminology to describe conditions that are caused by pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi that enter the body from the external environment. Examples of exogenous infections include those contracted from other individuals, contaminated surfaces, or even animals.

Understanding the distinction between exogenous and other types of infections is crucial in healthcare. Autogenous refers to infections that originate from the patient's own flora, endogenous relates to diseases caused by internal factors or pathogens that are already present in the body, and idiopathic is used to describe diseases with no known cause. Therefore, exogenous specifically highlights the external source of the infection, making it the correct answer in this context.