secondary infection

[sek-uhn-der-ee in-fek-shuhn]

noun

Medicine/Medical, Pathology.

1. an infection occurring in an area of the body that already has or has recently had an infection.

   After recovering from the flu, she developed a secondary infection in her lungs that is being treated with antibiotics.

2. an infection occurring in an area of the body following trauma or severe damage: The gunshot did not hit a vital organ, but he died from a secondary infection in the wound.

   His leg was so severely burned that it quickly developed secondary infections.

   The gunshot did not hit a vital organ, but he died from a secondary infection in the wound.

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondary infection¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

When the stinger pierces the skin, “it can cause puncture wounds, injection of venom, and tissue damage, leading to pain, swelling, and occasionally secondary infection,” according to the state agency.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Scratching can cause secondary infection and prolong the irritation.

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Officials said it was possible that some visitors may have passed the virus on through secondary infection.

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If your symptoms don’t improve after several days, or improve and then regress, it could be a sign you have a secondary infection such as pneumonia, Casto said.

Read more on Seattle Times

Markowski said scratching can cause secondary infection and prolong the irritation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times