There are so many kinds of infections, from bacterial to parasitic, that for a quick guide, the best you can hope for is a basic coverage of each of the most common infections. However, a basic and general coverage of all infections should be enough to have a basic understanding of what infections are and how to deal with them.
An infection is medically described as a colonization of a host by another foreign species, most usually microorganisms. The organism seeks to use the host’s resources in order to multiply. Infections are detrimental to the host body since the infecting organism interferes with the normal functioning of the host body, resulting in diseases in humans, from the common cold to the more serious cancers. It is this negative effect that separates an infection from normal colonization of microorganisms in our body.
Infections are covered in infectious diseases, the branch of medicine that deals with infections and pathogens (the infecting organism).
Types of Infections
There are so many infectious diseases today that to list them all and their cures would take several volumes of a medical encyclopedia. The thousands of infections, however, are generally classified under five major types by medical journals today. Each of these types have their own set of common pathogens as well as ways of getting rid of them. The five general types of infections are:
- Bacterial infections. As their name suggests, bacterial infections are those caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a group of unicellular microorganisms, typically micrometers in length, with a wide range of shapes, although the most common are spheres, rods, and spirals. They can be found in almost any place on Earth, including in the bodies of larger organisms. In fact, there are ten times more bacteria in the human body than there are cells, with the most numbers being in the skin and the digestive tract.Normally, these bacteria are rendered harmless by your body’s immune system, but there are those that are pathogenic and cause diseases such as cholera, anthrax, leprosy, and tuberculosis.
- Viral infections. Viruses are the next most common source of infection, right next to bacteria and fungi. Most people think that viruses and bacteria are the same but they’re very different. Unlike bacteria, viruses are technically non-living organisms; rather, they’re just capsules of genetic material. In order to survive, they need to attach themselves to a living host. They also reproduce this way, using the metabolism of the host cell in order to make multiple copies of themselves.Examples of viral infections in humans are the common cold, chickenpox, and the dreaded human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.
- Fungal infections. Unlike the bacteria or the virus, fungal infections are rarely found in the bloodstream, since it’s difficult for a fungus to survive in it. They are instead more common in the respiratory system and in the skin. They’re also relatively easier to treat than a bacterial or viral infection, and are rarely life-threatening.Common fungal infections include thrush, athlete’s foot, and nail infections.
- Protozoan infections. Like bacteria, protozoa are unicellular organisms that often cause more serious diseases. They are usually 10 to 50 micrometers long, but some can grow to one millimeter. They are more advanced than a bacteria, with some protozoa having different ways to absorb food, for instance.There are many types of protozoa so the infections caused by them are many as well. The most common ones are intestinal disorders, such as toxoplasmosis.
- Parasitic infections. Among the most well-known type of infections are parasitic infections, caused by parasites entering the body. The parasites can either be unicellular (protozoas) or multicellular (worms). Parasites generally live on their host; without the host, they die. The most common parasites are the worms: roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Lice, mites, and ticks are also common examples of parasites.
Getting Rid of Infections
Treating the infection depends on what kind it is. It is best to know the exact infection or disease that you have since there are medications available on the market targeted for specific infections. That having been said, here are several general tips to get rid of your infection.
- Have the infection identified. If it’s possible, identify what type of infection it is: bacterial, viral, or fungal. If you’re not sure, then go to a doctor and have yourself examined. Most infections are simple enough that they can be treated at home, but you have to know what they are first.
- Treat the infection with medications. Bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics and antibacterial drugs while viruses are treated with antiviral medications. Fungus is treated with antifungal drugs, usually in the form of topical creams for skin infections. Parasitic infections are treated with medicines called dewormers (in the case of worms) that are ingested consistently, while ectoparasites are treated with insecticidal agents.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get enough rest and a healthy diet. Also, exercise as often as you can and try to stay away from anything that’ll screw up your system. It might seem like a general thing, but there’s a purpose for this: the strengthening of your immune system. Your immune system is the first line of defense that you have against infections, and it is also the one that will fight it off once it sets in. Having a strong immune system will make sure that any infection you have will not last long.
- Get immunized. For viral infections, specifically, have yourself immunized against certain diseases. They will help you fight off any infection as well as help your immune system get a feel for the virus.
- Maintain a clean environment. Most infections are due to an unclean environment and surroundings. In order to get rid of infections, make sure your place is clean and free from bacteria and germs.
- Consult a physician. Have regular check-ups. Doing so will ensure that there’s no bacteria or virus (or some other infection) growing in you.
There are many varying kinds of infections. Most are just simple ones and are usually squashed dead by the immune system, with a little help from medicines. The more serious ones, however, are far more severe and life-threatening. Whatever infection you may have, the above steps can help you ease or even drastically reduce its severity, if not stop it altogether.
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