in·fec·tion ( n-f k sh n)n.1. a. Invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in a bodily part or tissue, which may produce subsequent tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular or toxic mechanisms. b. An instance of being infected. c. An agent or a contaminated substance responsible for one's becoming infected. d. The pathological state resulting from having been infected. 2. An infectious disease. 3. a. Moral contamination or corruption. b. Ready communication of an emotion or attitude by contact or example. |
infection Noun 1. an infectious disease 2. contamination of a person or thing by a germ or virus or its consequent disease
infection ( n-f k sh n) The invasion of the body of a human or an animal by a pathogen such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus. Infections can be localized, as in pharyngitis, or widespread as in sepsis, and are often accompanied by fever and an increased number of white blood cells. Individuals with immunodeficiency syndromes are predisposed to certain infections. See also infectious diseaseopportunistic infection |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | infection - the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganismsenterobiasis - an infestation with or a resulting infection caused by the pinworm Enterobius vermicularis; occurs especially in children whitlow, felon - a purulent infection at the end of a finger or toe in the area surrounding the nail focal infection - bacterial infection limited to a specific organ or region especially one causing symptoms elsewhere opportunistic infection - any infection caused by a microorganism that does not normally cause disease in humans; occurs in persons with abnormally functioning immune systems (as AIDS patients or transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs) paronychia - infection in the tissues adjacent to a nail on a finger or toe itch, scabies - a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation; "he has a bad case of the itch" bilharzia, bilharziasis, schistosomiasis - an infestation with or a resulting infection caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected sepsis - the presence of pus-forming bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues sore - an open skin infection superinfection - infection that occurs while you are being treated for another infection suprainfection - secondary infection caused by an opportunistic infection tapeworm infection - intestinal infection by a species of parasitic tapeworm; usually the result of eating inadequately cooked meat or fish lockjaw, tetanus - an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages toxoplasmosis - infection caused by parasites transmitted to humans from infected cats; if contracted by a pregnant woman it can result in serious damage to the fetus incubation - (pathology) the phase in the development of an infection between the time a pathogen enters the body and the time the first symptoms appear | | 2. | infection - (phonetics) the alteration of a speech sound under the influence of a neighboring soundphonetics - the branch of acoustics concerned with speech processes including its production and perception and acoustic analysis | | 3. | infection - (medicine) the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and their multiplication which can lead to tissue damage and diseasezymosis - (medicine) the development and spread of an infectious disease (especially one caused by a fungus) | | 4. | infection - an incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted | | 5. | infection - the communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people; "a contagion of mirth"; "the infection of his enthusiasm for poetry"communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups | | 6. | infection - moral corruption or contamination; "ambitious men are led astray by an infection that is almost unavoidable"corruption, corruptness - lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain | | 7. | infection - (international law) illegality that taints or contaminates a ship or cargo rendering it liable to seizureillegality - unlawfulness by virtue of violating some legal statute law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" |
infection noun disease, condition, complaint, illness, virus, disorder, corruption, poison, pollution, contamination, contagion, defilement, septicity
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