infections
Germs causing illness
Infections are invasions of the body by harmful microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—that multiply and cause illness.
The term covers everything from minor complaints like the common cold to life-threatening diseases.
The wound became red and swollen from infection.
Figuratively, infection describes how ideas or emotions spread person to person: His enthusiasm was an infection that swept through the team.
Mosquito-borne parasitic infection
- giardiaWaterborne intestinal parasite
- tapewormSegmented intestinal parasite
- hookwormIntestinal blood-feeding nematode
- pinwormIntestinal nematode parasite
roundworm · scabies · lice · amoeba · toxoplasmosis · leishmaniasis · trichinosis · cryptosporidium
Spherical bacteria in clusters
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
meningitis · cellulitis · sepsis · tetanus · cholera · gonorrhea · chlamydia · syphilis
Transmissible between people
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
- spreadTo distribute widely
vector · carrier · airborne · droplet · contact · incubation · quarantine · isolation
Elevated body temperature
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- malaiseDiffuse, sourceless discomfort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- inflammationProtective tissue response
swelling · redness · pus · discharge · pain · aches · nausea · diarrhea
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- antiviralsMedicines that inhibit viruses
- antifungalsMedications targeting mycotic infections
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- drainageLiquid removal system
debridement · prescription · resistance · penicillin · amoxicillin · IV · hospitalization · recovery
Acute viral respiratory infection
- coronavirusSpike-ringed viral family
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
- herpesChronic blister-causing virus
rhinovirus · norovirus · rotavirus · measles · mumps · rubella · polio · dengue
Proteins targeting pathogens
- vaccineDisease prevention injection
- immunizationProtective medical injection
- lymphocytesAdaptive immunity cells
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
B-cells · resistance · booster · antigen · immunoglobulin · immunocompromised · cytokines · inflammation
Contagious viral rash illness
- mumpsViral gland inflammation
- chickenpoxContagious blistering viral infection
- rubellaViral illness with rash
- whooping-coughInfectious respiratory disease
impetigo · hand-foot-mouth · croup · roseola · pinkeye · tonsillitis · MMR · vaccination
Fermenting fungus
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- ringwormFungal skin infection
- histoplasmosisSpore-caused pulmonary mycosis
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
mold · spores · tinea · candidiasis
malaria
Mosquito-borne parasitic infection
- giardiaWaterborne intestinal parasite
- tapewormSegmented intestinal parasite
- hookwormIntestinal blood-feeding nematode
pinworm · roundworm · scabies · lice · amoeba · toxoplasmosis · leishmaniasis · trichinosis · cryptosporidium · antiparasitic
staphylococcus
Spherical bacteria in clusters
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
pneumonia · meningitis · cellulitis · sepsis · tetanus · cholera · gonorrhea · chlamydia · syphilis · MRSA
contagious
Transmissible between people
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
spread · vector · carrier · airborne · droplet · contact · incubation · quarantine · isolation · exposure
fever
Elevated body temperature
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- malaiseDiffuse, sourceless discomfort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
inflammation · swelling · redness · pus · discharge · pain · aches · nausea · diarrhea · vomiting
antibiotics
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- antiviralsMedicines that inhibit viruses
- antifungalsMedications targeting mycotic infections
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
drainage · debridement · prescription · resistance · penicillin · amoxicillin · IV · hospitalization · recovery · prognosis
influenza
Acute viral respiratory infection
- coronavirusSpike-ringed viral family
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
herpes · rhinovirus · norovirus · rotavirus · measles · mumps · rubella · polio · dengue · rabies
antibodies
Proteins targeting pathogens
- vaccineDisease prevention injection
- immunizationProtective medical injection
- lymphocytesAdaptive immunity cells
T-cells · B-cells · resistance · booster · antigen · immunoglobulin · immunocompromised · cytokines · inflammation · immunotherapy
measles
Contagious viral rash illness
- mumpsViral gland inflammation
- chickenpoxContagious blistering viral infection
- rubellaViral illness with rash
whooping-cough · impetigo · hand-foot-mouth · croup · roseola · pinkeye · tonsillitis · MMR · vaccination · pediatric
yeast
Fermenting fungus
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- ringwormFungal skin infection
- histoplasmosisSpore-caused pulmonary mycosis
antifungal · mold · spores · tinea · candidiasis
- public healthdisease prevention, immunization, disease control, health education, epidemiology
- chemo side effectsnausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, neuropathy
- complicationscomplication, bleeding, paralysis, hemorrhage, sepsis
- Pregnancy Factorsprenatal care, folic acid, folate, prenatal testing, placenta
- ancient diseasestuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, malaria, rickets
- health factorsexercise, psychological factors, genetics, smoking, alcohol
infectionssterility
Absence of microbes or fertility
asepsis · health · wellness · good health · antisepsis
infectionsinjuries
Bodily damage or harm
genetic conditions · hereditary diseases · trauma · congenital disorders · autoimmune diseases
infectionscures
Remedies that heal
recoveries · healing · disinfection · sterilization · immunization
- ear infectionInflamed auditory canal
- sinus infectionInflamed nasal cavity illness
- infectious diseasesPathogen-caused transmissible conditions
- viral infectionDisease caused by microbes
- eye infectionPathogen invading ocular tissue
- kidney infectionBacterial illness of renal organ
infection, infectious, disinfection, infectious disease, infectiously, reinfection, infectiousness