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: March 3, 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