superinfections
Infections upon infections
Superinfections are secondary infections that occur during or after treatment for another infection.
Typically, antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones, allowing resistant organisms—often fungi like *Candida* or bacteria like *Clostridioides difficile*—to flourish unchecked: The prolonged antibiotic course led to a superinfection.
The term also applies when a person already infected with one pathogen acquires a second, different strain.
Reduced ability to fight infection
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- AIDSImmune deficiency syndrome
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
- transplantMove tissue between bodies
leukemia · lymphoma · neutropenia · overgrowth · secondary · prophylaxis · immunosuppression · mycobacteria
Originating within medical facilities
- ICUAcute care ward
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- iatrogenicCaused by medical care
- cross-contaminationTransfer of harmful substances
isolation · colonization · outbreak · endemic
Widespread herpes-type infection agent
- herpesChronic blister-causing virus
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
- varicellaBlister-causing viral infection
- adenovirusDNA virus infecting airways
influenza · coronavirus · reactivation · shedding · latent · antiviral · immunocompromised
Unaffected by multiple treatments
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- refractoryResistant to heat/control
Spherical bacteria in clusters
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
- pseudomonasGram-negative rod-shaped bacterium
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
pneumonia · cellulitis · endocarditis · osteomyelitis · abscess · bacteremia · meningitis · antibiotics
Yeast-caused fungal infection
- aspergillusGenus of filamentous fungi
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
- immunosuppressionReduced bodily defense activation
immunocompromised
Reduced ability to fight infection
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- AIDSImmune deficiency syndrome
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
transplant · leukemia · lymphoma · neutropenia · overgrowth · secondary · prophylaxis · immunosuppression · mycobacteria · parasites
hospital-acquired
Originating within medical facilities
- ICUAcute care ward
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- iatrogenicCaused by medical care
cross-contamination · isolation · colonization · outbreak · endemic
cytomegalovirus
Widespread herpes-type infection agent
- herpesChronic blister-causing virus
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
- varicellaBlister-causing viral infection
adenovirus · influenza · coronavirus · reactivation · shedding · latent · antiviral · immunocompromised
multidrug-resistant
Unaffected by multiple treatments
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
staphylococcus
Spherical bacteria in clusters
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
- pseudomonasGram-negative rod-shaped bacterium
sepsis · pneumonia · cellulitis · endocarditis · osteomyelitis · abscess · bacteremia · meningitis · antibiotics · broad-spectrum
candidiasis
Yeast-caused fungal infection
- aspergillusGenus of filamentous fungi
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
superinfectionsremission
Temporary disease absence
recovery · sterility · cure · eradication · resolution