What exactly is an infection?

(in-FEK-shun) The invasion and growth of germs in the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms. Infections can begin anywhere in the body and may spread all through it.

How does infection start?

Infection occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease, which typically happens in a small proportion of infected people, occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection, and signs and symptoms of an illness appear.

What are examples of infections?

What are Infectious Diseases? Infectious diseases are diseases caused by living organisms like viruses and bacteria. Described as contagious, they can be passed from person to person through body secretions, insects or other means. Examples are SARS, influenza, the common cold, tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis A and B.

What are the 5 stages of infection?

The five periods of disease (sometimes referred to as stages or phases) include the incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescence periods (Figure 2).

Is infection bacterial or viral?

Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, while viral infections are caused by viruses. That’s the easy part. Differentiating between the two requires medical intervention since both may cause fever and irritability.

What are the 3 main ways infection can get into the body?

Pathogens can enter the body by coming into contact with broken skin, being breathed in or eaten, coming into contact with the eyes, nose and mouth or, for example when needles or catheters are inserted.

What are the 4 main causes of infection?

Causes

• Bacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis.
• Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS.
• Fungi.
• Parasites.

What are the four signs of infection?

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Infection

• Fever (this is sometimes the only sign of an infection).
• Chills and sweats.
• Change in cough or a new cough.
• Sore throat or new mouth sore.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nasal congestion.
• Stiff neck.
• Burning or pain with urination.

What are 3 ways you can get an infection?

The organisms that cause infections are very diverse and can include things like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. You can acquire an infection in many different ways, such as directly from a person with an infection, via contaminated food or water, and even through the bite of an insect.

What are the signs that you have an infection?

Ear pain: Ear infections often lead to pain that can be mild to severe which can also cause pain on the side of the affected ear’s,jaw (toothache like pain)

Discharge from the ear: This occurs the same way as with children.

A Foul smell coming from the ear

What are the five stages of infection?

There are four stages of infection: Incubation Period- once the pathogen enters the body, this stage starts already. Prodormal Stage- after the first non-specific symptoms such as colds, or itchyness, among others, the pathogen continues to grow in number. Illness Stage- this is the highest point or the peak of the infection.

What can you do to prevent infection?

Wash your hands. This is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection. Wash your hands several times each day. Encourage everyone in your house to wash their hands with soap and water after they use the bathroom. Everyone should also wash their hands after they change a child’s diaper and before they prepare or eat food.