What is a nosocomial infection?

• A. An infection contracted from animals
• B. An infection acquired in a healthcare setting, not present at admission
• C. A hospital-acquired infection that is always viral
• D. An infection that is always easily treated

Answer: (B)

Nosocomial infections are infections that arise during a patient’s stay in a healthcare setting and are not present or incubating at the time of admission. The defining point is where and when the infection develops: after entering the hospital or care facility, often linked to exposure to pathogens in that environment and sometimes to invasive devices or procedures. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and antibiotic resistance can complicate treatment. This differs from infections contracted from animals (zoonoses), and from infections simply because they are viral or easy to treat.