There are many instances of people having severe health problems despite taking precautionary measures from further complications. Lack of health awareness about many sudden infections causing disease outbreaks shows how much concern is one about his/her well-being.
What is meant by an infection?
Whenever the term infection come to your mind, either your answer is viral or bacterial. Most of the people have still no idea what exactly it means. Infection refers to as when a foreign organism ( known as pathogens that include bacteria, fungus, virus, protozoa, etc.) enters an individual’s body causing harm.
Some infections are severe; also life-threatening and transmitted in many ways.
Types
Types of infection may vary depending on their shape, size, genetic content, and how it reacts on the body.
- Viral infection
A virus causes these infections. Some examples of viral infection are a common cold, warts, etc. and viral conditions that are dengue fever, HIV, polio, influenza, etc.
- Bacterial infection
Microorganisms having single cell are known as prokaryotes. Bacteria have three main shapes: Spherical (mainly known as cocci), Rod-shaped (bacilli), Spiral (coiled bacteria known as spirochetes). Bacteria live in almost any kind of environment from hot to cold; they even can survive in radioactive waste.
Some good bacteria in the human body prevents harmful bacteria from causing sickness. Some examples are tuberculosis, pneumonia, gastritis, etc.
- Fungal infection
Multi-cellular parasites (fungus) that can decompose and absorb organic matter using an enzyme. Certain people who are at high risk of developing a fungal infection are those who use antibiotics as medications for a long time, have a weak immune system due to diabetes, HIV, etc. Example of fungal infection includes ringworm, athlete’s foot, valley fever, etc.
- Prion disease
These diseases are rare; when they progress rapidly, it becomes fatal. The term ‘prion’ is a protein that carries no genetic material and is harmless, but it affects the brain structure and other parts of the nervous system.
It causes mad cow disease (known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)) and CJD (Creutzfeldt – Jakob disease). Many researchers believe some cases of this disease related to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Other infections
Protozoa are single-celled microorganism with a nucleus that shows similar features to animals that can survive outside of the human body. These infections spread by contact with faeces. Example of protozoan infection is Amebic dysentery.
Causes
The causes of an infection depend on the type of organisms that invades the human body.
The infection may be a viral or bacterial, causing swelling nose, wound filling with pus, etc.
Symptoms
Symptoms of infection vary on the type of organisms as well as the area infected.
- Viruses target specific cells present in the genitals or upper respiratory tract of the human body. In the case of rabies, it focuses on the nervous system. They also target skin cells, causing warts and others target specific cells leading to many kinds of symptoms. For instance, flu causes muscle aches and upset stomach.
- Bacterial infection likely affects more than the viral one. If an individual experiences a bacterial infection, specific symptoms like pain, fever, swollen lymph gland, etc.
- Fungal infection on the skin – causing rashes.
- Common symptoms of prion disease include brain damage, cognitive difficulties, memory loss, etc.
How to avoid the risk of spreading diseases
- Regularly wash your hands before and after having food.
- If any case of impending vaccinations, keep them up to date.
- Take antibiotics as per doctor’s prescription.
- Avoid leaving food exposed when cooking at room temperatures.
- Visit the doctor for health checkups, follow their advice in case of travelling or working to avoid causing infection.
- Practice safe sex by using a condom.
- Sharing of personal items such as toothbrush, combs, kitchen utensils, etc. need to be avoided.
- If there is any case of high concentration of bacteria in the kitchen and bathroom disinfect these rooms.
Following a healthy lifestyle to keep your immune system active and defending the body against a different variety of infections from further complications. Otezla is used to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a form of arthritis that can occur in people with psoriasis.