Need another word for Infection? Use these synonyms of Infection from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
contagion
disease
illness
disorder
affliction
malady
sickness
virus
bacteria
germ
microbe
pathogen
epidemic
outbreak
plague
pestilence
contamination
taint
pollution
impurity
poisoning
sepsis
infestation
invasion
infiltration
spread
outbreak
attack
onset
incidence
prevalence
endemic
pandemic
contagion
disease
illness
disorder
affliction
malady
sickness
virus
bacteria
germ
microbe
pathogen
Meaning of Infection
The primary meaning of the word "infection" refers to a condition where the body is invaded by a pathogen, such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus, leading to disease or illness.
Definitions
- The invasion of the body by a pathogen, such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus, resulting in disease or illness
- A disease or condition caused by the invasion of the body by a pathogen
- The act or process of infecting or being infected
Etymology of Infection
The word "infection" originates from the Latin "infectio", meaning "a putting into" or "tainting", which is derived from "in" (into) and "facere" (to put or do)
Historically, the term "infection" was first used in the 15th century to describe the act of contaminating or polluting something, and later came to be used in a medical context to describe the invasion of the body by a pathogen
Example Uses
- The patient was diagnosed with a bacterial infection and was prescribed antibiotics
- The outbreak of the virus led to a widespread infection that affected thousands of people
- The doctor warned that the infection could spread quickly if not treated promptly