What is the term for the actual cause of a disease?

The term that refers to the actual cause of a disease is known as the exciting cause. This term specifically designates the factor or agent that triggers the onset of a disease, making it distinct from other terms that might describe influences on health.

For instance, a predisposing factor refers to underlying conditions or characteristics that can make a person more susceptible to a disease but do not directly cause it. Contributing factors can play a role in the progression or development of a disease but are not necessarily the direct causes. A pathogenic factor indicates elements that are capable of producing disease, but it is broader and not confined solely to the immediate cause of an illness.

The exciting cause, therefore, is the most precise term defining the immediate cause leading to the disease, allowing for a clear understanding of the specific trigger, thereby facilitating targeted responses in treatment or prevention.