infection / contagion
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infection
The transmission of a disease from one living being to another through contact with pathogens such as viruses or bacteria.
Händewaschen ist eine einfache und wirksame Maßnahme, um eine Ansteckung zu vermeiden.
Washing your hands is a simple and effective measure to avoid infection.
'Die Ansteckung' (infection/contagion) is the noun form of the verb 'anstecken' (to infect). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun that describes the process or result of the action.
Er fürchtet sich davor, sich bei der Arbeit anzustecken.
He is afraid of getting infected at work.
In a medical context, the prepositions 'vor' (from/against) and 'mit' (with) are often used. People speak of 'Schutz vor einer Ansteckung' (protection against infection) and 'Ansteckung mit einer Krankheit' (infection with a disease).
Guter Schutz vor Ansteckung ist in der Grippesaison besonders wichtig.
Good protection against infection is especially important during flu season.
Common combinations are 'eine Ansteckung vermeiden' (to avoid infection), 'das Risiko einer Ansteckung verringern' (to reduce the risk of infection), or 'die Gefahr der Ansteckung' (the danger of infection).
Durch regelmäßiges Lüften kann man das Risiko einer Ansteckung in Innenräumen senken.
By ventilating regularly, you can reduce the risk of infection indoors.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is combined with emotions or moods. Typical examples are 'Ansteckung' (contagion) through laughter, yawning, good mood, or panic.
Sein Gähnen war so intensiv, dass die Ansteckung im ganzen Raum spürbar war.
His yawning was so intense that the contagion was noticeable throughout the room.
transmission / transfer
'die Übertragung' and 'die Ansteckung' can both describe something passing from one person to another. With diseases, 'die Übertragung' is the more general expression and often sounds factual or medical. 'die Ansteckung' means more specifically that someone can become ill, or does become ill, through pathogens. In a figurative sense, 'Ansteckung' can also be used for feelings or moods, for example with good spirits. The risk of confusion arises because a disease is transmitted and a person becomes infected. Put simply: 'Übertragung' describes the process neutrally, while 'Ansteckung' describes it from the perspective of the affected person or group.
In der Schule achten alle auf Abstand, damit es keine Ansteckung gibt.
At school, everyone keeps their distance so that there is no infection.
Die Ärztin erklärt den Eltern die Übertragung des Virus.
The doctor explains the transmission of the virus to the parents.