Definition of "infective" [in•fect•ive]

• Capable of producing infection; infectious. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "This condition, called infective endocarditis, is the reason why patients with heart valve problems are advised to take antibiotics before dental procedures."
• "Patients with congenital heart defects of the valve or those who have valvular replacements of the heart need to take a relatively high dosage of antibiotics before dental treatment to prevent occurrence of a heart disease known as infective endocarditis."
• "Infections such as infective endocarditis can occur when bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream through small oral injuries that occur most often during normal brushing, flossing or eating."