SUBINFECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Subinfection is a medical term used to describe a secondary or additional infection that occurs in conjunction with a primary infection. It refers to the presence of another infectious agent within the body while an initial infection is already active. A subinfection typically arises when another pathogen enters an individual who is already affected by a primary infection, weakening the immune system and providing an opportunity for further infections to occur.
Subinfections can occur in various ways. For example, a person with a weakened immune system due to a primary viral infection might develop a bacterial subinfection, such as pneumonia. Alternatively, a person already affected by a bacterial infection could acquire a subinfection caused by a different strain or type of bacteria.
The presence of subinfections can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of the initial infection. It may lead to more severe symptoms, prolonged illness, or delay in recovery. Additionally, subinfections can pose a greater risk, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions or compromised immune systems.
To effectively manage subinfections, a thorough medical examination and appropriate laboratory tests are required to identify the specific pathogens involved. Treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics or antiviral medications, depending on the nature of the subinfection.
Overall, subinfections represent an additional burden on an individual's health, often requiring targeted medical interventions to address multiple infectious agents simultaneously.
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1. A secondary infection occurring in one exposed to and successfully resisting an epidemic of another infectious disease. 2. Poisoning of the organism by toxins liberated from collections of bacteria undergoing lysis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SUBINFECTION
- aubinfection
- zubinfection
- xubinfection
- dubinfection
- eubinfection
- wubinfection
- sybinfection
- shbinfection
- sjbinfection
- sibinfection
- s8binfection
- s7binfection
- suvinfection
- suninfection
- suhinfection
- suginfection
- subunfection
- subjnfection
- subknfection
- subonfection
Etymology of SUBINFECTION
The word "subinfection" is formed from the combination of two parts: "sub" and "infection".
1. "Sub-" is a prefix that is derived from Latin, meaning "under" or "below". In English usage, it is often used to indicate something that is lesser, smaller, or subordinate.
2. "Infection" comes from the Latin word "infectio", which means "contamination" or "influence". In English, "infection" refers to the invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms in a living organism's body, leading to disease or illness.
Therefore, "subinfection" can be understood as a lesser or lower-level infection, typically referring to a secondary or milder form of infection that occurs alongside or after a primary infection.
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