{"id":1552,"date":"2024-09-26T18:28:52","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T22:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/chapter\/infections-2\/"},"modified":"2024-09-26T19:33:32","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T23:33:32","slug":"infections","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/chapter\/infections\/","title":{"raw":"2.2 Infections","rendered":"2.2 Infections"},"content":{"raw":"

What Is an Infection?<\/h1>\r\nAn [pb_glossary id=\"520\"]infection[\/pb_glossary] is any illness caused by the growth of a [pb_glossary id=\"521\"]pathogen[\/pb_glossary] on, or in, a person. These pathogens can be [pb_glossary id=\"524\"]bacteria[\/pb_glossary], [pb_glossary id=\"523\"]viruses[\/pb_glossary], or [pb_glossary id=\"522\"]fungi[\/pb_glossary]. The common cold is caused by a virus, and so is influenza (the flu), and COVID-19.\r\n\r\nInfections can range from fairly minor, like coughs and colds, to more serious ones, like septicemia (blood poisoning) and wound infections. Infections can spread quickly unless certain measures are taken.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_51\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"201\"]\"\" Figure 2.2.1<\/strong> Infections spread quickly![\/caption]\r\n\r\nWhen a pathogen is commonly found on our body without causing an illness, we call it colonization. People who are colonized will have no signs or symptoms; they feel fine. In certain circumstances, pathogens may go further to cause an infection. For example, Escherichia coli (E. coli)<\/em> is a common species of bacteria found naturally in the intestine, where it helps produce vitamins K and B. While most strains of E. coli<\/em> are harmless to humans, they can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, and in more severe cases, bacterial meningitis or pneumonia.\r\n\r\nSome people are more at risk for infection because their immune systems are weakened. Clients with certain health conditions \u2014 those with diabetes, heart and skin diseases, or those with a weaker immune system \u2014 are also more at risk for infections.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_51\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]\"\" Figure 2.2.2 <\/strong>School sores, or impetigo, is highly contagious[\/caption]\r\n

Resident<\/span> and<\/span> Transient<\/span> Flora<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_49\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]\"\" Figure 2.2.3<\/strong> Bacteria infection[\/caption]\r\n

Not<\/span> all<\/span> germs<\/span> cause<\/span> infections!<\/span><\/span> <\/strong>Billions of bacteria live in or on our bodies. This is normal and healthy, as these germs are part of the body\u2019s resident flora. The parts of the body they typically colonize include the surface of the skin, mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth), digestive tract (gut, bowel), and upper respiratory system (mouth, nose and throat). These pathogens do not cause harm.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Transient flora are just passing through. Although they may attempt to colonize the same areas of the body as the resident flora, transient germs cannot remain in the <\/span>body for extended periods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This is due to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n