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.
How does the body react to infection?
Innate immune cells
recognize certain molecules found on many pathogens. These cells also react to signaling molecules released by the body in response to infection. Through these actions, innate immune cells quickly begin fighting an infection. This response results in inflammation.
What are the stages of infection?
For bacteria to successfully cause disease they must pass through several
stages of infection
: colonisation, invasion, proliferation and transmission. Whilst in the body, bacteria must also evade constant attack from the immune system.
What are the five signs that an infection is present?
- 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 the six stages of infection?
The six links include:
the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host
. The way to stop germs from spreading is by interrupting this chain at any link.
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).
What do you think is the first stage of infection?
1.
Incubation
. The incubation stage includes the time from exposure to an infectious agent until the onset of symptoms. Viral or bacterial particles replicate during the incubation stage.
What part of your body fights infection?
The main parts of the immune system are:
white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system
, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus, and the bone marrow. These are the parts of your immune system that actively fight infection.
What helps fight infection in the body?
Your white blood cells lock on to the germs in order to absorb or destroy them. They have
antibodies
that latch onto the germs. Experience makes your immune system stronger. The first time your body comes into contact with a certain type of germ, your immune response may take a while.
Can the body fight infection without antibiotics?
Once unfriendly bacteria enter your body, your body’s immune system tries to fight them off. But oftentimes, your
body can’t fight the infection naturally
, and you need to take antibiotics – medication that kills the bacteria.
How long does it take for an infection to start?
An infection can develop
any time between two or three days after the cut occurred until it’s visibly healed
. Read on to learn how to identify an infected cut, and what you can do to treat and prevent this condition.
When should I be worried about an infection?
When to see a doctor
Call a doctor or go to the hospital right away if you think you might have a skin infection and: You have a
fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
. You’re in a lot of pain. The redness or swelling spreads.
How does an infection make you feel?
Symptoms of infection
Some general symptoms that can indicate you may have an infection include:
fever or chills
.
body aches and pains
.
feeling tired or fatigued
.
What can cause a infection?
- Bacteria.
- Viruses.
- Protozoa (some of which act as parasites)
- Fungal organisms (also called fungi).
What is infection control?
Infection control
prevents or stops the spread of infections in healthcare settings
. This site includes an overview of how infections spread, ways to prevent the spread of infections, and more detailed recommendations by type of healthcare setting.
What is the main route to spread infection?
The transmission of microorganisms can be divided into the following five main routes:
direct contact, fomites, aerosol (airborne), oral (ingestion), and vectorborne
. Some microorganisms can be transmitted by more than one route.
