PARAINFECTIOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Parainfectious is an adjective used in medical contexts to describe conditions or processes that occur concurrently or follow after an infection, but are not caused directly by the infectious agent itself. The term combines the prefix "para-" meaning alongside or next to, with "infectious" referring to a disease caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Parainfectious phenomena can manifest in various ways, depending on the specific infection and the individual's immune response. They may involve autoimmune reactions, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells or tissues in response to the infection. These autoimmune responses could affect different organs and systems, leading to symptoms such as inflammation, fever, rash, joint pain, or neurological complications.
Parainfectious syndromes can also involve processes indirectly caused by the infection, such as the release of toxins or immune-mediated damage. For example, parainfectious encephalitis refers to brain inflammation that occurs following an infection in another part of the body. Similarly, parainfectious myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle triggered by a recent infection.
Importantly, when discussing parainfectious conditions, it is crucial to differentiate them from the direct effects of the infectious agent itself. By focusing on these secondary or indirect effects, healthcare professionals can better understand and manage the complications that may arise during or after an infection.
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Indirectly related to or consequent upon an infectious disease.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PARAINFECTIOUS
- oarainfectious
- larainfectious
- -arainfectious
- 0arainfectious
- pzrainfectious
- psrainfectious
- pwrainfectious
- pqrainfectious
- paeainfectious
- padainfectious
- pafainfectious
- patainfectious
- pa5ainfectious
- pa4ainfectious
- parzinfectious
- parsinfectious
- parwinfectious
- parqinfectious
- paraunfectious
- parajnfectious
Etymology of PARAINFECTIOUS
The word "parainfectious" is formed by combining the prefix "para-" and the adjective "infectious".
The prefix "para-" originates from the Greek word "para", meaning "beside" or "alongside". In English, this prefix is commonly used to indicate something that is related to, but not directly a part of, the main topic or concept.
The term "infectious" comes from the Latin word "infectus", which means "infected" or "contaminated". It refers to the ability of a disease or organism to be transmitted from one person to another.
Therefore, when the prefix "para-" is added to "infectious", the resulting word "parainfectious" refers to something that is related to or occurring alongside an infectious condition, but is not a direct consequence of it.
