infected
adjective
in·fect·ed
in-ˈfek-təd 
: having an infection : contaminated with an infective agent (such as a bacterium or virus)
an infected wound
Through a number of different means, these viruses persist at very low, hard-to-detect levels in infected cells.—
The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationShe explains that leptospirosis bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals.—Tania Banak
Tania BanakThe fungus produces as many as 1 million conidia per square centimeter of infected leaf surface.—G. B. Lucas
G. B. LucasExamples of infected in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The tsetse fly picks up the parasite from an infected person and then can transmit it to someone else.
—Fran Kritz, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
The mumps virus spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions when infected people cough, sneeze, talk, or share drinks or utensils.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The virus spreads by direct contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes, usually four days before developing a rash and four days afterward.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
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Fran Kritz, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
The mumps virus spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions when infected people cough, sneeze, talk, or share drinks or utensils.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The virus spreads by direct contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes, usually four days before developing a rash and four days afterward.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
Cite this Entry
“Infected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infected. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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