Infections - Types and Management

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What does infection mean in medical terms?

The word infection can denote any presence of a particular pathogen at all (no matter how little) but also is often used in a sense implying a clinically apparent infection (in other words, a case of infectious disease).

What is an infectious disease?

Infectious disease, process caused by an agent, often a microorganism, that impairs a person’s health. Infectious diseases typically are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. The immune system generally reacts quickly against these agents, though drugs may be used to help fight off infection.

What is the difference between infectious disease and infection?

An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable disease, is an illness resulting from an infection.

What is an infection & why is it important?

It’s important for you to understand what an infection is before you learn about the things that might put a person at a higher risk for getting one. An infection occurs when germs enter a person’s body and multiply, causing illness, organ and tissue damage, or disease.

What are infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person.

How does infection start?

Infection begins when an organism successfully enters the body, grows and multiplies. This is referred to as colonization. Most humans are not easily infected. Those with compromised or weakened immune systems have an increased susceptibility to chronic or persistent infections.

What medical conditions predispose you to infection?

In addition, certain other medical conditions may predispose you to infection, including implanted medical devices, malnutrition and extremes of age, among others. Most infectious diseases have only minor complications. But some infections — such as pneumonia, AIDS and meningitis — can become life-threatening.

What Is Infections

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196271
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bacterial-infections
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/symptoms-causes/syc-20351173
5. https://www.preventcancerinfections.org/health-tip-sheet/what-infection
6. https://www.verywellhealth.com/infection-5096014
7. https://www.britannica.com/science/infectious-disease
8. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/spread/index.html
9. https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/quick-facts-infections/biology-of-infectious-disease/overview-of-infectious-disease

Infections Information

1. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/conditionsandtreatments/infections
2. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/infectious-and-communicable-diseases