Nature of Infection

Infection
• An infection is the invasion of an organism's body tissues by

disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction
of host tissues to the infectious agents and the toxins they
produce.
• An infection occurs when a microorganism enters a
person’s body and causes harm.
Infection…..cont
• The microorganism uses that person’s body to sustain itself,
reproduce,
and colonize. These infectious microscopic organisms are known as
pathogens, and they can multiply quickly. Examples of pathogens
include:
 Bacteria
 Viruses
 fungi
Transmission
• They can spread in several different ways, including through:
 skin contact
 the transfer of bodily fluids
 contact with feces
 ingesting contaminated food or water
 inhaling airborne particles or droplets
 touching an object that a person carrying the pathogen has also touched.
Types
• How an infection spreads and its effects on the human body depend on
the type of pathogen.
• The immune system is an effective barrier against infectious agents.

However, pathogens may sometimes overwhelm the immune system’s
ability to fight them off. At this stage, an infection becomes harmful.
• Some pathogens have little effect at all. Others produce toxins or

inflammatory substances that trigger negative responses from the body.
This variation means that some infections are mild and rarely noticeable,
while others can be severe and life threatening. Some pathogens are
resistant to treatment.
Types….cont
• Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are different types of pathogens. They vary in several ways,
including:
 size
 shape
 function
 genetic content
 how they act on the body
• For example, viruses are smaller than bacteria. They enter a host and take over cells, whereas
bacteria can survive without a host.
Viral infections
• Viral infections occur due to infection with a virus. Millions of different

viruses may exist. Viruses contain a small piece of genetic code, and a
coat of protein and lipid (fat) molecules protects them.
• Viruses invade a host and attach themselves to a cell. As they enter the
cell, they release their genetic material. This material forces the cell to
replicate the virus, and the virus multiplies. When the cell dies, it releases
new viruses, which infect new cells.
• Not all viruses destroy their host cell, however. Some of them
change the function of the cell. Some viruses, such as
human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), can lead to
cancer by forcing cells to replicate in an uncontrolled way.
Viral infections….cont
•A virus can also target certain age groups, such as infants or young
children.
•Viruses may remain dormant for a period before multiplying again. The
person with the virus can appear to have fully recovered, but they may get
sick again when the virus reactivates.
•Viral infections include:
the common cold, which mainly occurs due to rhinovirus, coronavirus, and
adenovirus
encephalitis and meningitis, resulting from enteroviruses and the herpes
simplex virus (HSV), as well as West Nile Virus
warts and skin infections, for which HPV and HSV are responsible
gastroenteritis, which norovirus causes
COVID-19, a respiratory disease that develops after a novel coronavirus
infection that is currently causing a global pandemic
Other viral conditions include:
 Zika virus
 HIV
 hepatitis C
 polio
 influenza (flu), including H1N1 swine flu
 Dengue fever
 Ebola
 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV)
Viral infections….cont
• Antiviral medications can help relieve the symptoms of some viruses while
the disease passes. They can either prevent the virus from reproducing or
boost the host’s immune system to counter the effects of the virus.
• Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. These drugs will not stop the
virus, and their use increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.
• Most treatment aims to relieve symptoms while the immune system

combats the virus without assistance from medication.
Bacterial infections
• Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms, also known as

prokaryotes.
• Experts estimate that there are at least 1 nonillion bacteria on
Earth. A nonillion is a 1 followed by 30 zeros. Much of the
Earth’s biomass comprises bacteria.
• Bacteria take three main shapes:
 Spherical: These are known as cocci.
 Rod-shaped: These have the name bacilli.
 Spiral: Coiled bacteria are known as spirilla. If the coil of a
spirillum is particularly tight, scientists call it a spirochete.
Bacterial infections….cont
• Bacteria can live in almost any type of environment, from extreme heat to
intense cold, and some can even survive in radioactive waste.
• There are trillions of strains of bacteria, and few cause diseases in

humans. Some of them live inside the human body, such as in the gut or
airways, without causing harm.
• Some “good” bacteria attack “bad” bacteria and prevent them from causing
sickness
 Some bacterial diseases can be deadly. These include

 cholera
 diphtheria
 dysentery
 bubonic plague
 tuberculosis
 typhoid
 typhus
• Some examples of bacterial infections are:
 bacterial meningitis ,otitis media, pneumonia, tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract

infection (although this is usually viral)
 Gastritis, food poisoning, eye infections, sinusitis (again, more often viral)
 urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Fungal infections
• A fungus is often a multicellular parasite that can decompose and absorb

organic matter using an enzyme. However, some types, such as yeasts,
are single celled.
• Fungi almost always reproduce by spreading single celled spores. The

structure of a fungus is usually long and cylindrical, with small filaments
branching from the main body.
• There are approximately 5.1 million species of fungus.

Fungal infections….cont
• Many fungal infections develop in the upper layers of the skin, and some
progress to the deeper layers. Inhaled yeast or mold spores can
sometimes lead to fungal infections, such as pneumonia, or infections
throughout the body. These are also known as systemic infections.
• The body usually has a population of good bacteria that help maintain the
balance of microorganisms. These line the intestines, mouth, vagina, and
other parts of the body.
Fungal infections….cont
• Examples of fungal infections are:
 valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis

 histoplasmosis
 candidiasis
 athlete’s foot
 ringworm
 some eye infections
• A rash may indicate a fungal infection of the skin.

Other infections
• While the forms of infection that we have listed above are the main types,
there are others that can have an effect on the body.
• A single celled organism with a nucleus can cause a protozoan infection.

Protozoa commonly show features similar to those of animals, such as
mobility, and they can survive outside the human body.
Other infections….cont
• They most commonly transfer to other humans through feces. Amebic

dysentery is an example of a protozoan infection.
• Helminths are larger, multicellular organisms that tend to be visible to the

naked eye when fully grown. This type of parasite includes flatworms and
roundworms. These can also cause infection.
• Finally, ectoparasites — including mites, ticks, lice, and fleas — can cause
infection by attaching or burrowing into the skin. Ectoparasites can also
include blood-sucking arthropods, such as mosquitoes, which transmit
infection by consuming human blood.
Causes
• The cause of an infection is whichever type of organism has entered the

body. A specific virus, for example, will be the cause of a viral infection.
• The effects of an infection, such as swelling or a runny nose, occur due to

the immune system’s attempt to get rid of the invading organism.
• A wound fills with pus, for example, when white blood cells rush to the site
of an injury to combat foreign bacteria.
Symptoms
• The symptoms of an infection depend on the organism responsible, as well as the site of
the infection.
• Viruses target specific cells, such as those in the genitals or upper respiratory tract. The
rabies virus, for example, targets the nervous system. Some viruses target skin cells,
causing warts.
• Others target a wider range of cells, leading to several symptoms. A flu virus can cause a
runny nose, muscle aches, and an upset stomach.
• A person with a bacterial infection will often experience redness, heat, swelling, fever, and
pain at the site of infection, as well as swollen lymph glands.
• A rash can indicate a fungal infection of the skin. However, viruses and bacteria may also
cause skin conditions and rashes.
Prevention
• There is no single method for preventing all infectious diseases. However,

people should take the following steps to reduce the risk of transmission:
 Wash the hands often, especially before and after preparing food and
after using the bathroom.
 Clean surface areas and avoid keeping perishable food at room
temperature for too long while preparing a meal.
 Receive any recommended vaccinations and keep them up to date.
 Only take antibiotics with a prescription and be sure to complete the
recommended course, even if symptoms improve at an earlier stage.
Prevention….cont
 Disinfect rooms that may have high concentrations of bacteria,

such as the kitchen and bathroom.
 Reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by
receiving regular STI checks, using condoms, or abstaining
altogether.
 Avoid sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes, combs,
razor blades, drinking glasses, and kitchen utensils.
 Follow a doctor’s advice about traveling or working while living
with an infectious disease, as doing so could pass the infection
to others.
• Following an active lifestyle and eating a nutritionally balanced
diet can help keep the immune system strong and prime the
body’s defences against different types of infection.
THANK YOU

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Infection

• An infection is the invasion of an organism's body tissues by

• The immune system is an effective barrier against infectious agents.

• Some pathogens have little effect at all. Others produce toxins or

• Viral infections occur due to infection with a virus. Millions of different

• Most treatment aims to relieve symptoms while the immune system

• Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms, also known as

• There are trillions of strains of bacteria, and few cause diseases in

 Some bacterial diseases can be deadly. These include

• Some examples of bacterial infections are:

 bacterial meningitis ,otitis media, pneumonia, tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract

• A fungus is often a multicellular parasite that can decompose and absorb

• Fungi almost always reproduce by spreading single celled spores. The

• There are approximately 5.1 million species of fungus.

• Examples of fungal infections are:

 valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis

• A rash may indicate a fungal infection of the skin.

• A single celled organism with a nucleus can cause a protozoan infection.

• They most commonly transfer to other humans through feces. Amebic

• Helminths are larger, multicellular organisms that tend to be visible to the

• The cause of an infection is whichever type of organism has entered the

• The effects of an infection, such as swelling or a runny nose, occur due to

• There is no single method for preventing all infectious diseases. However,

 Disinfect rooms that may have high concentrations of bacteria,

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