Viral Infection Definition and Common Symptoms

Meaning 1：viral infection (Viral infection)

Viral infection 🔊

/ˈvaɪrəl ɪnˈfekʃən/

An illness caused by a virus, a tiny germ that gets inside your body's cells and makes more of itself, often making you feel unwell.

viral infection 🔊

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/ˈvaɪrəl ɪnˈfekʃən/

An illness caused by a virus, a tiny germ that invades cells and multiplies, leading to symptoms such as fever, cough, or fatigue.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Viral: from Latin 'virus' (poison); infection: from Latin 'inficere' (to dip in, infect).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'viral' video spreading fast; a viral infection similarly spreads rapidly inside your body's cells.

📖 Example

My doctor said I need to rest at home because I have a viral infection, not something antibiotics can help with. 🔊 My doctor said I need to rest at home because I have a viral infection, not something antibiotics can help with.

🔗 Collocations

severe viral infection – a serious viral infection that causes significant symptoms

viral infection symptoms – the signs of a viral infection like fever and cough

treat a viral infection – to manage a viral infection with rest and antiviral drugs

🔄 Synonyms

viral illness (n.) – an illness caused by a virus

viral disease (n.) – a disease resulting from a viral infection

🚫 Antonyms

bacterial infection (n.) – an infection caused by bacteria, often treatable with antibiotics

🌱 Derivatives

virus (n.) – a tiny germ that causes infection

virally (adv.) – in a way that relates to viruses

antiviral (adj.) – tending to destroy or inhibit viruses

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'viral infection' gained scientific usage in the late 19th century after the discovery of viruses as distinct pathogens. 'Virus' originally meant 'poison' in Latin, reflecting early concepts of infectious agents.