What it means
An infection that happens because the body's defenses are down. Germs that a healthy immune systemih-MYOON SIS-tumThe body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.Full entry keeps under control can cause serious illness in people with advanced HIV, cancer treated with chemotherapy, organ transplants or long-term steroid use. Examples are Pneumocystis pneumonia, oral thrush (candidiasis), cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis.
For the nurse
Protect clients with weak immunity: hand hygiene by everyone, no visitors who are ill, and teaching on food safety. A fever may be the only sign, so report any temperature rise promptly.
At a glance
| Spanish | infección oportunista |
|---|---|
| Also written | opportunistic infections |
Related terms
immune system
The body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.
immunodeficiency
A state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.
fungus
A living thing, such as a yeast or mold, that gets food from other matter; some kinds cause infections. The plural is fungi.
neutropenia
A lower than normal number of neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight bacterial infection first.