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infection meaning and examples

2025-08-25

Meaning

An infection is the process by which harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites enter the body and cause illness or disease. It can also refer to the condition of being affected by these microorganisms.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: noun (countable/uncountable).

  • Typical structures:

    • "an infection in + body part" → an infection in the lungs
    • "get/have/develop an infection"
    • "spread/cause infection"
    • "be at risk of infection"

Common Phrases

  • viral infection – an illness caused by a virus.
  • bacterial infection – an illness caused by bacteria.
  • chest infection – an infection in the lungs or airways.
  • wound infection – when a cut or injury becomes infected.
  • risk of infection – the chance of becoming infected.

Collocations

  • Verb + infection: get, cause, spread, prevent, treat, develop, fight
  • Adjective + infection: serious, mild, chronic, acute, bacterial, viral, fungal
  • Noun + infection: wound infection, throat infection, ear infection, chest infection

Examples

  1. The doctor prescribed antibiotics for her throat infection.
  2. He developed a wound infection after the surgery.
  3. Washing your hands regularly helps prevent the spread of infection.
  4. Children are more likely to get viral infections during winter.
  5. The hospital has strict rules to reduce the risk of infection.
  6. Her condition worsened because the infection spread to her lungs.
  7. Vaccines protect people from dangerous bacterial and viral infections.
  • disease
  • contamination
  • contagion
  • illness
  • sickness
  • disorder