Secondary Infection

A secondary infection is a bacterial or viral illness that develops following a first illness. The second infection may develop because a person's immune system is stressed or weakened.

The secondary infection may prolong the first infection or make it more severe.

Current as of: November 18, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo, MD - Internal Medicine

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