AUTOINFECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Autoinfection refers to the process by which an individual becomes infected with a disease or parasite through their own body, typically by harboring and transmitting the pathogen from one site to another. It occurs when a person becomes their own source of infection, often due to the presence of a latent or chronic infection within their body.
In autoinfection, the original infection may have occurred externally or from another source, and instead of being completely cleared or treated, a portion of the pathogen remains and eventually causes a reinfection within the same individual. This process can lead to an ongoing cycle of infection, perpetuating the disease or parasite within the person.
Autoinfection can occur in several ways, depending on the specific disease or parasite involved. For example, in conditions like tuberculosis, the infection may spread from the lungs to other organs or tissues within the individual's body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. In parasitic infections, such as certain types of worms, the infective stages may reproduce within the body, allowing for self-transmission and reinfection.
Preventing autoinfection often involves identifying and treating the initial infection thoroughly, along with implementing measures to minimize the risk of reinfection. This can include practicing good hygiene, avoiding contact with infected individuals, maintaining a healthy immune system, and adhering to appropriate medical interventions, such as medication or surgical procedures, as necessary.
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Infection by germs or toxins produced within the body, as exemplified in the occurrence of a succession of boils.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AUTOINFECTION
- aut-oinfection
- zutoinfection
- sutoinfection
- wutoinfection
- qutoinfection
- aytoinfection
- ahtoinfection
- ajtoinfection
- aitoinfection
- a8toinfection
- a7toinfection
- auroinfection
- aufoinfection
- augoinfection
- auyoinfection
- au6oinfection
- au5oinfection
- autiinfection
- autkinfection
- autlinfection
Etymology of AUTOINFECTION
The word "autoinfection" comes from a combination of two roots: "auto" derived from the Greek word "autós" meaning "self", and "infection" derived from the Latin word "infectio" meaning "infected".
The prefix "auto-" signifies the concept of self or one's own, indicating that autoinfection refers to being infected by one's own microorganisms or parasites. The term "infection" refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms, leading to the development of a disease. Hence, "autoinfection" is a term used to describe the process of being infected by microorganisms that originated from one's own body.
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