Infective
Infective
Infective (/ɪnˈfɛktɪv/), derived from the Latin word 'infectivus', is a term used in the field of medicine to describe the ability of an organism or agent to establish an infection.
Definition
Infective refers to the capability of a pathogen (such as a bacteria, virus, or fungus) to enter, survive, and multiply in the host's body, thereby causing an infection. The term is often used in the context of diseases that are transmitted from one individual to another.
Related Terms
- Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Bacteria: A type of biological cell that constitutes a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms.
- Virus: A small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.
- Fungus: Any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms.
Etymology
The term 'infective' is derived from the Latin word 'infectivus', which means 'able to taint or corrupt'. It was first used in the English language in the late 14th century.
Pronunciation
The term 'infective' is pronounced as /ɪnˈfɛktɪv/.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Infective
- Wikipedia's article - Infective
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