superinfection

[ soo-per-in-fek-shuhn ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. marked proliferation of a parasitic microorganism during antimicrobial treatment for another infection.

Word History and Origins

Origin of superinfection¹

First recorded in 1920–25; super- + infection

Example Sentences

The lawsuit, citing hospital records, claimed her death was “set in motion due to an Influenza A infection with staph superinfection.”

From Fox News

If more than one virus enters the cell, it would be a waste, as only one can replicate once inside, and many viruses have ways to prevent this "superinfection".

From BBC