to infect
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to infect
To transmit pathogens such as viruses or bacteria to an organism so that it becomes ill. Usually used reflexively: sich infizieren (to become infected).
Er hat sich im Urlaub mit dem Grippevirus infiziert.
He became infected with the flu virus while on vacation.
The verb 'infizieren' (to infect) is closely related to the noun 'die Infektion' (infection). Both words come from Latin and are often used in medical or technical contexts.
Eine Infektion mit diesem Virus ist sehr selten.
An infection with this virus is very rare.
In all meanings, 'infizieren' (to infect) is used with the preposition 'mit' (with): you infect someone or something 'mit' a disease, 'mit' a computer virus, or 'mit' an idea.
Er hat sich beim Wandern mit Borreliose infiziert.
He became infected with Lyme disease while hiking.
In the medical meaning, the verb is very often used reflexively: 'sich infizieren' (to become infected). This emphasizes that the person gets the disease.
Was kann ich tun, um mich nicht zu infizieren?
What can I do to avoid becoming infected?
In the context of computer technology, the passive is often used to describe what happened to the device. The subject is then the computer or the system.
Alle Computer im Netzwerk wurden mit der Schadsoftware infiziert.
All computers in the network were infected with the malware.
to transmit / transfer
'übertragen' and 'infizieren' can both describe something passing from one person or living being to another. With diseases, 'übertragen' is more neutral and describes the path of the pathogen. 'infizieren' means that pathogens enter an organism and an infection occurs; people often say 'sich infizieren' (to become infected). In a figurative sense, 'infizieren' can also mean that enthusiasm spreads to others. The words can be confused because diseases are 'übertragen' and people 'infizieren sich'. Memory aid: The pathogen is transmitted, the person becomes infected.
Tom hat sich im Urlaub mit einem Virus infiziert.
Tom became infected with a virus while on vacation.
Mücken können bestimmte Krankheiten auf Menschen übertragen.
Mosquitoes can transmit certain diseases to humans.