Infections and disorders acquired in
hospitals and health-care facilities are called nosocomial diseases, after the Latin
nosocomium for hospital. Patients with weakened resistance are prone to
infections of the genital, urinary, and respiratory tracts and of surgical wounds. Among common infections that can spread through
hospitals are those caused by Enterococcus, Escherichea, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus bacteria, Candida albicans fungus, and hepatitis and herpes zoster viruses. Some bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics, causing major problems at many hospitals and health-care facilities. Other nosocomial disorders include bedsores on patients who remain in one bed position for long periods, and blood clots in patients who remain inactive too long after surgery.