OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Opportunistic infection is a medical term referring to an infection caused by microorganisms that usually do not harm a healthy individual with a fully functioning immune system, but may pose a threat to individuals with compromised or weakened immune systems. These infections take advantage of the weakened immune defenses to invade and multiply within the body, leading to illness or disease.
The term "opportunistic" emphasizes the fact that these infections opportunistically take advantage of a specific situation or set of conditions to infect the host. These infections can be caused by various microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Some common examples include pneumonia caused by the bacteria Pneumocystis jirovecii, thrush caused by the fungus Candida albicans, and tuberculosis caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to opportunistic infections, such as those with HIV/AIDS, undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or individuals with autoimmune diseases. Risk factors for developing opportunistic infections include age, genetic predisposition, malnutrition, invasive medical procedures, certain medications, and exposure to environmental sources of infection.
The diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections often require a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists in infectious diseases, immunology, and the primary underlying condition. Prevention strategies can include maintaining good hygiene practices, avoiding exposure to known infectious sources, adherence to prescribed medications, and vaccination when applicable.
Common Misspellings for OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION
- ipportunistic infection
- kpportunistic infection
- lpportunistic infection
- ppportunistic infection
- 0pportunistic infection
- 9pportunistic infection
- ooportunistic infection
- olportunistic infection
- o-portunistic infection
- o0portunistic infection
- opoortunistic infection
- oplortunistic infection
- op-ortunistic infection
- op0ortunistic infection
- oppirtunistic infection
- oppkrtunistic infection
- opplrtunistic infection
- oppprtunistic infection
- opp0rtunistic infection
Etymology of OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION
The word "opportunistic infection" is formed by combining the terms "opportunistic" and "infection".
1. "Opportunistic" is derived from the word "opportunity". It comes from the Latin word "opportunus", which means "favorable" or "convenient". The term "opportunist" was first used in the 1890s to describe a person who takes advantage of opportunities. In the medical context, "opportunistic" refers to a situation where an infecting organism takes advantage of a weakened immune system to cause an infection.
2. "Infection" originates from the Latin word "infectio", meaning "decay" or "putrefaction". It entered English through the Old French word "infeccion", with similar meanings.
