Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
virulence
noun
/ˈvɪrʊlɛns/
Definition
The ability of a pathogen to cause disease.
Examples
- The virulence of the virus increased, leading to more severe outbreaks.
- Scientists are studying the virulence factors of bacteria to develop better vaccines.
- Different strains of the flu can vary widely in virulence.
Meaning
Virulence refers to the degree of pathogenicity or the severity of the disease caused by an infectious agent. It describes how harmful and aggressive a microorganism can be in causing illness.
Synonyms
- Pathogenicity
- Infectiousness
- Aggravation