MIXED INFECTION Meaning and
Definition
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A mixed infection is a medical term that refers to the presence of multiple microorganisms within a single host. It occurs when two or more different types of infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, invade the body simultaneously or in succession. These pathogens can either coexist in the same tissue or affect different parts of the body simultaneously.
Mixed infections can occur through various means, such as exposure to contaminated environments, infected individuals, or the inability of the body's immune system to combat multiple pathogens effectively. The severity of symptoms and the outcome of a mixed infection can vary widely, depending on the types of microorganisms involved, their interactions, and the individual's immune response.
Diagnosing a mixed infection can be challenging as it requires identifying and distinguishing between the different causative agents involved. Healthcare professionals typically use a combination of clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory tests to detect and confirm the presence of multiple pathogens.
Treatment of mixed infections often involves a multifaceted approach, employing different medications and therapies targeting each specific microorganism involved. However, management can be complicated and may require special attention to avoid potential drug interactions or adverse effects.
Overall, the understanding and treatment of mixed infections are crucial in healthcare settings, as they can pose significant challenges and impact the effectiveness of treatment strategies.
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I. by more than one variety of pathogenic microorganisms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MIXED INFECTION
- nixed infection
- kixed infection
- jixed infection
- muxed infection
- mjxed infection
- mkxed infection
- moxed infection
- m9xed infection
- m8xed infection
- mized infection
- miced infection
- mided infection
- mised infection
- mixwd infection
- mixsd infection
- mixdd infection
- mixrd infection
- mix4d infection
- mix3d infection
- mixes infection
Etymology of MIXED INFECTION
The etymology of the word "mixed infection" can be broken down as follows:
1. Mixed: The word "mixed" is derived from the Old English word "mixt", which means "mingled" or "blended". Its origin can be traced back to the Latin word "mixtus", meaning "mixed" or "mingled".
2. Infection: The word "infection" is derived from the Latin word "infectio", which means "contamination" or "defilement". It is derived from the verb "inficere", meaning "to stain" or "to taint".
Therefore, "mixed infection" refers to an infection caused by the presence of multiple pathogens or microorganisms in a host's system, resulting in a blended or mingled infection.
