Talk:infection

What I found: "Noun...

The act or process of infecting. Retrieved from 'http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infection'"

Just a quick one here: If I'm reading this correctly, the word, "infection" is being described as a noun. No problem there.

The problem, i think, is that the definition given, is descriptive of a verb. Specifically, this is an accurate definition of the verb, "to infect". infection is a noun, though, not a verb.

My suggestion: go to Wikipedia for this excellent definition:

"An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. In infection, the infecting organism seeks to utilize the host's resources in order to multiply at the expense of the host. The infecting organism, or pathogen, interferes with the normal functioning of the host..."

One other, 'nit-piki' thing: Probably not a good idea to define 'infection', using the term, 'infecting'.

Please except this suggestion in the wiki-spirit of help and co-operation. And please let me hear from all who think I'm off-base here. Thanks for your time and consideration and all that you're doing to help this great project. Alcarreau 18:00, 26 May 2006 (UTC)Reply

Wiktionary currently has:

1. (pathology) The act or process of infecting.
2. An uncontrolled growth of harmful microorganisms in a host.

By contrast, Wikipedia has:

1. The detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species.

Which raises the following questions:

1. Q1: Can growth and colonization be treated as synonyms? If not, which one would be preferred?
2. Q2: If a growth of harmful microorganisms is controlled, is that no longer infection?

--Daniel Polansky 12:37, 16 February 2008 (UTC)Reply