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viral infection

Cultural  
  1. An infection caused by a virus. At present, viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics. (Compare bacterial infection.)


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Diseases caused by viral infections include herpes, chicken pox, hepatitis, influenza, and the common cold.

Example Sentences

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But the pandemic has left some evidence that viral infection may play a role in reawakening dormant cancer cells present in a patient’s body before infection.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

There was citrus canker, a viral infection that had plagued citrus for years prior to the arrival of greening.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Because mpox is a viral infection, the solution isn’t as simple as taking antibiotics to treat it.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

These symptoms occur without a viral infection and typically appear within one to three days after vaccination.

From Science Daily • Dec. 27, 2025

“It’s a viral infection commonly known as the ‘kissing disease,’” he added.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

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