What it means
In infection control, incubation usually means the incubation periodin-kyoo-BAY-shun PEER-ee-udThe time between catching an infection and the first symptoms.Full entry : the germ is multiplying, but the person feels well. Its length differs by disease, which helps public health trace where an infection came from. In a lab, a culture is incubated, kept warm, so germs can grow.
Related terms
incubation period
The time between catching an infection and the first symptoms.
urine culture
A lab test that grows germs from a urine sample to find out whether bacteria are present and which ones.