Infections (Infectious Diseases)

Infectious diseases are common illnesses that are caused by various types of organisms and might be mild or severe.

Infections

Infections, or infectious diseases, occur when a pathogen, which is a harmful organism, enters the body. However, it’s important to acknowledge that numerous organisms live normally inside and on our bodies, but they don’t cause any problems unless under certain conditions that might lead them to cause diseases. Moreover, a part of these organisms are beneficial for our bodies.

It's important to distinguish between an infection, which is a disease, and an inflammation, which is the body's reaction to a certain trigger.

Types of infections

• Bacterial infections: Bacteria are organisms that consist of only one cell. Some examples are sore throats and urinary tract infections.
• Viral infections: Viruses are smaller than bacteria. Some examples are the common cold, the flu, and HIV.
• Fungal infections: Fungi normally live on the body and in the surrounding environment, and when they get to places where they shouldn’t be, they cause diseases; ringworm is an example. They might also cause diseases inside the body, like in the lungs, liver, and brain.
• Parasitic infections: Parasites are organisms that depend on other organisms to live. Malaria is an example.

Causes of infections

People can get an infectious disease through direct or indirect contact:

• From an infected person to another by touching, sneezing, coughing, kissing, and having intercourse.
• From an infected animal to a person through bites and scratches.
• From an infected pregnant woman to her fetus or newborn.
• Through bites of certain bugs.
• Sharing things with an infected person.
• Touching contaminated surfaces or things.
• Contacting the stool of an infected person or animal.
• Contaminated foods and beverages.
• Working with contaminated sand or soil.
• During medical procedures and through blood transfusions or organ donations.
• The risk of getting an infectious disease is higher in people with a weak immune system.

Symptoms of infections

Symptoms of infectious disease typically differ depending on the type of the infection, but in general they cause:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Headache.
• Digestive issues like diarrhea.
• Cough.
• Muscle pain.
• Night sweats.
• In some cases, an infection might lead to serious complications, such as dehydration, pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, meningitis, and even certain types of cancers like cervical or liver cancer.

Diagnosis of infections

• Lab tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Biopsies.

Treatment of infections

Each infectious disease is treated differently:

• Bacterial infections are treated by antibiotics.
• Viral infections are treated by antivirals. However, a lot of them are managed without any drugs. Antibiotics can’t be utilized to manage viral infections.
• Fungal infections are treated by antifungals.
• Parasitic infections are treated by antiparasitics.

Prevention of infections

You can reduce the risk of infections by:

• Washing the hands regularly.
• Getting the recommended vaccines.
• Covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing.
• Staying home when being sick.
• Making sure that the foods and drinks you’re consuming are safe.
• Not sharing personal items with others.