Secondary infection
Secondary infection
Immune system structures
Immune system structures

Secondary infections

Information:

Definition:
An infection that occurs during or after treatment of a primary infection. It may result from the treatments or from alterations in the immune system. For example, a yeast infection that occurs after antibiotic treatment of a bacterial infection is a secondary infection. The development of bacterial pneumonia following a viral upper respiratory infection is another example.


Review Date: 1/28/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial. (1/28/2002). Previous review: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; RxRemedy. (2/9/2000).
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