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Reinfected: meaning, definitions and examples

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reinfected

 

[riːɪnˈfɛktəd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

medical infection

Reinfected refers to the state of being infected again by a pathogen after having previously recovered from a similar infection. This can occur with various microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, and is often seen in diseases where immunity is not long-lasting. For example, after recovering from an illness, such as COVID-19 or influenza, a person may become reinfected if exposed to the same or a different strain of the pathogen. Factors such as waning immunity, new variants, or insufficient immune response can contribute to reinfection.

Synonyms

recontaminate, reestablish infection, reinfect.

Examples of usage

  • She was reinfected with the flu after returning from vacation.
  • Patients can become reinfected with COVID-19, especially with new variants.
  • Reinfected individuals may show different symptoms compared to their initial infection.
  • Reinfected cases are concerning for public health authorities.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The prefix 're-' means 'again', and 'infected' comes from a word that means 'to harm or affect'.
  • The word has roots in Latin, where 'infectus' means 'to taint or stain', which relates closely to diseases.

Science

  • Certain viruses, like the flu, can change every season, making it possible for someone to be reinfected.
  • The immune system’s memory can fade over time, which may lead to reinfection if the body doesn't remember how to fight the virus.
  • Some diseases can change so much that the body can't recognize the new version, so it has to start fighting it again.

Public Health

  • Reinfection is a significant concern during pandemics, as new variants of viruses emerge.
  • Health experts often study reinfection rates to understand how well a vaccine works and the duration of immunity.
  • Preventative measures, like wearing masks and social distancing, help reduce the risk of getting reinfected with many contagious diseases.

Psychology

  • The emotional impact of becoming reinfected can include feelings of anxiety or frustration, as individuals worry about their health.
  • People who have been reinfected may experience a shift in trust towards health guidelines or vaccine effectiveness.

In Popular Media

  • Reinfection stories are common in movies about pandemics, showing characters who must confront their fears when falling ill again.
  • Video games often depict reinfected characters as 'zombies', emphasizing fear and the struggle of facing an old enemy.

Translations

Translations of the word "reinfected" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reinfectado

🇮🇳 फिर से संक्रमित

🇩🇪 wieder infiziert

🇮🇩 terinfeksi ulang

🇺🇦 повторно інфікований

🇵🇱 ponownie zainfekowany

🇯🇵 再感染した (さいかんせんした)

🇫🇷 réinfecté

🇪🇸 reinfectado

🇹🇷 yeniden enfekte

🇰🇷 재감염된 (재감염된)

🇸🇦 مصاب مرة أخرى

🇨🇿 znovu infikován

🇸🇰 znovu infikovaný

🇨🇳 再次感染 (zài cì gǎn rǎn)

🇸🇮 ponovno okužen

🇮🇸 aftur smitaður

🇰🇿 қайта жұқтырған

🇬🇪 მეორედ ინფიცირებული

🇦🇿 təkrar yoluxmuş

🇲🇽 reinfectado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,944, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.