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Secondary Infection

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.

Last Revised: January 10, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger, MD

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