What term describes the condition when the body is invaded by bacteria?

The term that accurately describes the condition when the body is invaded by bacteria is "infection." An infection occurs when pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, enter the body, multiply, and cause damage to tissues or disrupt normal physiological functions. This can result in various symptoms depending on the type of bacteria and the body systems affected.

Infections can be localized, affecting a specific area, or systemic, spreading throughout the body. Recognizing the difference between infection and other related terms is vital in microbiology and medical science. For example, contamination refers to the presence of an infectious agent on a surface or in an environment without necessarily causing disease. Infestation typically relates to the invasion of the body by larger parasites, such as worms or insects, rather than microorganisms. Colonization describes a successful establishment and growth of microbes on body surfaces without causing disease, which is different from the harmful implications of an infection. Thus, "infection" distinctly encompasses the aspect of harm and bodily invasion by bacteria.