infektoimia

Infektoimia is a term found in speculative biology and some works of fiction to describe a hypothetical syndrome in which infectious agents interact with the host immune system and nervous system to produce widespread pathology. It is not a medically recognized diagnosis; there are no standard clinical criteria, laboratory tests, or approved treatments for infektoimia.

Usage and scope: The concept is used to explore theoretical questions about how infections could influence physiology and behavior through mechanisms such as cytokine signaling, immune-brain communication, or microbiome changes. In fiction, manifestations vary and are tailored to the narrative; in real-world science, researchers study specific pathogens and established disease processes rather than a universal syndrome.

Diagnosis and management: There are no clinical criteria for infektoimia. In medical discussions, the term is treated as a heuristic device rather than a defined disease, and real treatment targets the underlying infection and its complications according to evidence-based guidelines.

Etymology and status: The term is a neologism built for creative or theoretical purposes and does not have formal etymology or standing in medical nomenclature.