TERMINAL INFECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Terminal infection refers to a severe and often life-threatening medical condition caused by the invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, within the body. This type of infection is characterized by its advanced stage and the inability of the immune system to effectively control or eliminate the invading organisms.
The term "terminal" in this context signifies that the infection has reached a stage where it is incurable or very difficult to treat successfully, often leading to the patient's death. Terminal infections commonly affect individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those suffering from advanced stages of chronic diseases, severe immunodeficiency disorders, or conditions that weaken the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Symptoms of a terminal infection vary depending on the type of pathogen involved and the organs affected. They may include persistent fever, extreme fatigue, severe pain, organ dysfunction, septic shock, and other systemic manifestations. Treatment options for terminal infections often focus on palliative care, managing symptoms, and promoting comfort rather than curing the infection itself.
In certain cases, terminal infections may be preventable through appropriate vaccination, infection control practices, and early detection and treatment of underlying conditions. However, for individuals already in the advanced stages of a terminal infection, healthcare providers generally prioritize providing supportive care and pain relief to improve the patient's quality of life in their remaining time.
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An acute infection, commonly pneumonic or septic, occurring toward the end of any disease (usually a chronic disease), and often the cause of death.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TERMINAL INFECTION
- rerminal infection
- ferminal infection
- germinal infection
- yerminal infection
- 6erminal infection
- 5erminal infection
- twrminal infection
- tsrminal infection
- tdrminal infection
- trrminal infection
- t4rminal infection
- t3rminal infection
- teeminal infection
- tedminal infection
- tefminal infection
- tetminal infection
- te5minal infection
- te4minal infection
- terninal infection
- terkinal infection
Etymology of TERMINAL INFECTION
The etymology of the word "terminal infection" can be understood by examining the components of the term:
1. Terminal: The word "terminal" comes from the Latin word "terminalis", meaning "pertaining to boundaries or limits". It is derived from the Latin word "terminus", meaning "end, boundary". In medical usage, "terminal" typically refers to a situation or condition that cannot be reversed or cured, often indicating an advanced stage of a disease.
2. Infection: The word "infection" comes from the Latin word "infectio", which is derived from the Latin verb "inficere", meaning "to put into, to stain, or to infect". It refers to the invasion or colonization of a host organism by foreign microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to harmful effects on the host's body.
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