B2noun1K

Infection

UK /["/ɪnˈfekʃn/"]/US /["/ɪnˈfekʃn/"]/

Definition

the act or process of causing or getting a disease

In simple words: When germs or bacteria get into the body and make you sick.

Examples

  • The doctor confirmed that the patient had a bacterial infection in his lungs.
  • Vaccines are essential for preventing the spread of infection among communities.
  • The infection spread rapidly, leading to a significant health crisis in the region.
  • After the insect bite, she developed a severe skin infection that required treatment.
  • The hospital implemented strict protocols to reduce the risk of infection in patients.

Usage notes

Use 'infection' in medical or health contexts. It's appropriate for conversations with healthcare professionals or when discussing illnesses. Avoid using it in casual or non-serious discussions.

Grammar pattern

infection + of + body part

Memory hint

Think of 'infections' as 'in' and 'problems' — infections come in and cause problems.

Collocations

  • nasty
  • serious
  • severe
  • have
  • suffer
  • suffer from
  • develop
  • occur
  • spread
  • in infection
  • infection from
  • infection through
  • a cause of infection
  • the onset of infection
  • resistance to infection
  • nasty
  • serious
  • severe
  • have
  • suffer
  • suffer from
  • develop
  • occur
  • spread
  • in infection
  • infection from
  • infection through
  • a cause of infection
  • the onset of infection
  • resistance to infection

Synonyms

  • contagion
  • virus
  • disease
  • sickness
  • illness

Antonyms

  • health
  • wellness

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'inflection' (change in speech)
  • Using 'infection' to refer to non-medical situations
  • Incorrectly stating a person is an 'infection' instead of having an 'infection'