Are communicable diseases most contagious in the later stages?

Communicable diseases are not necessarily most contagious in the later stages. It depends on the specific disease and its transmission route. Some diseases, like measles, are more contagious during the early stages, when symptoms like rash and fever appear. Other diseases, like tuberculosis, can be more contagious in the later stages, when the affected person's immune system is weakened and the bacteria can spread more easily.