File:Cutaneous_abscess_MRSA_staphylococcus_aureus_7826_lores.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ166231· pop 104· linked from 5,552 articles

infection

Also known as contagion, infections, case of infection, clinical infection, infectious

An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable disease, is an illness resulting from an infection.

AI overview

An infection occurs when harmful microorganisms invade your body, multiply, and trigger a reaction from your immune system and tissues. Infectious diseases are the illnesses that result from these infections, and they matter because they can spread from person to person and cause significant health problems.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Medical condition.name: Infection
Medical condition.image: Cutaneous abscess MRSA staphylococcus aureus 7826 lores.jpg
Medical condition.caption: Pus oozing from an abscess caused by bacteria
Medical condition.field: Infectious diseases
Medical condition.causes: Bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, prion

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

4,602,295 papers

From Q Fever to Coxiella burnetii Infection: a Paradigm Change.ReviewClinical microbiology reviews · 2017Eldin C, Mélenotte C, Mediannikov O et al.DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00045-16
Dendritic Cells and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Still an Unclarified Connection.ReviewCells · 2020Campana P, Parisi V, Leosco D et al.DOI: 10.3390/cells9092046
Chronic Infection With Gastric Helicobacters Induces Hepatic Lesions in Mice.Helicobacter · 2025Seeneevassen L, Sifré E, Khalid S et al.DOI: 10.1111/hel.70032
Listeriosis.ReviewSeminars in fetal & neonatal medicine · 2009Posfay-Barbe KM, Wald ERDOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2009.01.006
The role of primary infection of Schwann cells in the aetiology of infective inflammatory neuropathies.ReviewThe Journal of infection · 2016Neal JW, Gasque PDOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2016.08.006
Visiting the cell biology of Salmonella infection.ReviewMicrobes and infection · 2010Lahiri A, Lahiri A, Iyer N et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.05.010
Emerging Riemerella anatipestifer infection in chickens: pathogenic characteristics and host immune response profiles.Poultry science · 2025Lv J, Gao Y, Chen H et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105687
Persistent Coxsackievirus B3 Infection in Pancreatic Ductal Cells In Vitro Downregulates Cellular Polyamine Metabolism.mSphere · 2023Mastrodomenico V, LoMascolo NJ, Firpo MR et al.DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00036-23

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Show 2 more facts

Commons category: Infectious diseases and disorders
WordLift URL: data.wordlift.io/wl01714/entity/infections

Sources (7)

via Wikidata · CC0

~64 min read

Article

42 sections

Contents

Types
Signs and symptoms
Bacterial or viral
Pathophysiology
Colonization
Disease
Transmission
Diagnosis
Symptomatic diagnostics
Microbial culture
Microscopy
Biochemical tests
PCR-based diagnostics
Metagenomic sequencing
Indication of tests
Classification
Subclinical versus clinical (latent versus apparent)
Course of infection
Primary versus opportunistic
Primary pathogens
Opportunistic pathogens
Secondary infection
Other types of infection
Infectious or not
Contagiousness
By anatomic location
Prevention
Immunity
Host genetic factors
Treatments
Susceptibility to infection
Epidemiology
Historic pandemics
Emerging diseases
Germ theory of disease
Medical specialists
Society and culture
Fossil record
Outer space
See also
References
External links

Infections can be caused by a wide range of pathogens, most prominently bacteria and viruses. Hosts can fight infections using their immune systems. Mammalian hosts react to infections with an innate response, often involving inflammation, followed by an adaptive response.