Infection Related Vocabulary

The Basics

100

Define the term: Infection

• invasion and multiplication of an organism in the host tissue

200

What is a primary infection?

• initial infection with an organism in the host

300

What is a secondary infection?

• in a host whose resistance is lowered by a pre-existing infection, a new organism may set up infection

400

What is meant by the term focal (local) infection?

• condition where due to infection at localized sites like appendix and tonsil, general effects are produced
• lacks systemic spread

A Little Bit Deeper

100

Define the term reinfection

• subsequent infection by the same organism in a host after recovery

200

What is a superinfection?

• infection by the same organism in a host before recovery

300

What is meant by the term latent infection?

infection that is inactive or dormant

400

Define the term nosocomial infection

• Cross infection occurring in hospital.