What Is Infection? An infection is an invasion and multiplying of pathogenic microbes in the body tissues in which they are not usually present (1). Pathogenic means capable of causing disease. Infection does not always cause a disease. Definitions of Infection-Related Terms A colonization is the usual presence of >> Read More ...
What Is Sepsis? Sepsis (Greek sepsis= putrefaction, decay) is an exaggerated response of body’s immune system to an infection, like severe pneumonia or cellulitis, which has spread to the blood; it is also called blood infection. If treatment does not start promptly, sepsis may be deadly. NOTE: Bacteremia, viremia, >> Read More ...
There are five main types of hepatitis viruses that can infect the liver and cause inflammation. Some of these will cause acute inflammation and resolves spontaneously or with minimal treatment and there is no risk of chronic infection. Others may present with an acute phase but chronic infection persists for life and may >> Read More ...
Meningitis or inflammation of the meninges is most often caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. It may occur as complication of skull or spinal injury, cancer, or connective tissue disorders. The meninges are membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningism or symptoms of meningeal >> Read More ...
Abscess Definition An abscess is a collection of pus which can occur in tissues, organs or confined spaces in the body. Abscesses may lie superficially, like a boil just underneath the skin or deep within the body like a lung abscess. In most cases, an abscess is caused by bacteria and is the body’s mechanism to >> Read More ...
What Is Fecal-Oral Transmission? Fecal-oral transmission means spread of microbes (viruses, bacteria or parasites) from the human or animal stool to your mouth. Transmission of microbes from your own stool is called auto-infection. The feco-oral route of transmission is common and one of the main modes of spread for some >> Read More ...
Intestinal Parasites Unicellular Parasites (Protozoa) PARASITE / DISEASE DISTRIBUTION TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS and SIGNS Balantidium coli, balantidiasis worldwide/rural contact with pigs, infected water severe diarrhea Blastocystis hominis, blastocystosis worldwide stool to mouth none or mild diarrhea Cryptosporidium, >> Read More ...
Incubation Period vs Contagious Period Incubation (Lat. incubationem = a lying upon eggs) period is the time from exposure to a microbe (like influenza virus) to the appearance of the first symptoms. It is important to note that even though a person may be exposed to a microbe, they may not be infected with it and >> Read More ...
Seasonal, Swine and Bird Flu in Humans Types of influenza currently appearing in humans include: Seasonal influenza, also called annual influenza, conventional influenza, common flu or human flu Swine flu, also called novel flu (in Europe), or 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 Bird flu or avian influenza Table 1: Main >> Read More ...
Peritoneum and Peritoneal Cavity The peritoneum is a double layered membranous sac that houses many of the abdominal organs. One layer of the peritoneum known as the visceral peritoneum is attached to these organs, which are known as intra-peritenoeal organs. The other layer known as the parietal peritoneum lines the inner >> Read More ...
