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contagious  –  infectious

[different pronunciation; the letter 'c' in "contagious" is pronounced with a 'k' sound]

“Contagious” means ‘(of a disease) that can be spread from person to person by physical contact (by touch)’,

e.g.

Scabies is a contagious skin disease.

“Infectious” means ‘(of a disease — infection) that is spread by bacteria and/or virus in air or in water, i.e. air-borne and water-borne’,

e.g.

Cholera is an infectious disease.

{Some language experts use ‘contagious’ for diseases like ‘cholera’.}

[When used metaphorically, there is no difference between these two words: e.g. Her laughter is infectious/contagious, i.e. when we see her laughing, we too begin to laugh.]

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