Different Types of Infection

What Are Infections?

Simply put, Infection occurs when germs enter your body and multiply, resulting in disease. Some infections are contagious and some aren't. Of those that are contagious, they are transmitted through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses, or other germs from one person to another. This can happen when an individual with the bacterium or virus touches, kisses, or coughs or sneezes on someone who isn't infected. Some infections can be so contagious that they spread even through the shared use of towels and or clothes.

What is a Bacterial Infection?

A bacterial infection occurs when bacteria enter the body, increase in number, and cause a reaction in the body. Bacteria reside on humans however can cause infection when the bacteria enter the body through an opening in your skin, such as a cut or a surgical wound, or through your airway and cause infections like bacterial pneumonia.

What are some signs of a Bacterial Infection?

Some of the signs of a bacterial infection are: Fever, feeling tired, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, and blood in the urine.

Treatment

Most bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics.

What are Viral Infections?

A viral infection is a proliferation of a harmful virus inside your body. Viruses cannot reproduce without the assistance of a host. Viruses infect a host by introducing their genetic material into the cells and hijacking the cell's internal machinery to make more virus particles. The length of time someone is infectious depends on the type of infection they have.

What are the signs of a Viral Infection?

Some signs of viral infections are: fever, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and a lot of times you can have some body aches.

Treatment

For the most part viral infections are treated by your immune system as antibiotics don't work.

What are Fungal Infections? 

_{A fungal infection, also called mycosis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus. There are millions of species of fungi. They live in the dirt, on plants, on household surfaces, and on your skin. Sometimes, they can lead to skin problems like rashes or bumps. Fungi are microorganisms characterized by a substance in their cell walls called chitin. Some fungi, like many types of mushrooms, are edible. Other types of fungi, like aspergillus, can be extremely dangerous and lead to life-threatening diseases.}

What are signs of a Fungal Infection

_{Some signs of fungal infections are: Irritation, scaly skin, redness, itching, swelling and blisters.}

Treatment

_{Fungal infections are typically treated with antifungal medications.}

What are Parasitic Infections?

Parasites are organisms that live in (or on) another organism, called the host. The parasites can be microscopic or large enough to see with the naked eye, and they survive by feeding from the host. They can also spread parasitic infections, which can lead to sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s often deadly response to infection. Sepsis kills and disables millions and requires early suspicion and rapid treatment for survival.

What are the Signs of a Parasitic Infection?

Some signs of parasitic infections are: stomach cramps, nausea, dehydration, weight loss and muscle and joint pain.

Treatment

Parasitic infections are normally treated by antiparasitic drugs, antifungal drugs or sometimes antibiotics.