What term describes an infection acquired after hospitalization?

The term that describes an infection acquired after hospitalization is nosocomial. Nosocomial infections are specifically linked to healthcare settings, arising in patients during their stay in a hospital or other healthcare facility. These infections often occur due to various factors, such as the presence of invasive devices, surgical procedures, or the environment of the healthcare setting, which may harbor pathogens.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different contexts. Viral refers to infections caused specifically by viruses and does not encompass all types of diseases acquired in a hospital. Iatrogenic refers to conditions that are caused by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures. While these can include infections, iatrogenic does not specifically denote infection acquired in a hospital setting. Antimicrobial relates to agents used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms and is not a term for any type of infection. Therefore, nosocomial is the most accurate term for infections acquired during a hospital stay.