Superinfection

Superinfection is a phenomenon in which a person is infected by more than one strain of a particular pathogen. It occurs when the immune system is weakened due to the first infection, and thus can no longer effectively fight the secondary invading pathogen. Such a condition can result in more severe and frequent health complications. For example, an individual already infected with the influenza virus might develop a serious secondary infection due to a bacterial superinfection. Superinfection has implications for health care and prevention of infectious diseases. Vaccines, treatments, and therapies can be designed more specifically to combat pathogens and their associated superinfections. As such, understanding the mechanisms and prevalence of superinfections is crucial for global health.