Infectious Knowledge
Infections are no joke to the body. It seems like no matter how thick your skin is or how germ phobic you may be, an infection can still find a way to get into your body and make a small sore feel like a giant bruise. If left untreated, you would be surprised how devastating an infection can be. This article will discuss how an infection starts and what risks it can pose to you.
How Infections Start and Spread
Infections are started by tiny bacterial or viral microorganisms that have somehow found their way into your body. Most likely it came from an open sore or incision made by surgery. When these microorganisms get into your bloodstream or body, they find cells to attach to. This happens with a lock-and-key type of connection that occurs between the surfaces of the infectious microorganisms and your cells.
Once there is a connection, an infection can start via multiplication. For the infection to continue, the microorganisms produce at a faster rate than the body's immune system can handle or it produces at a static rate that makes an infection chronic. If your body is able to, it can fight off the infections on its own and keep them from spreading.
Types of Infections and Preventions
The type of infection depends on what type of microorganism has latched on. Infections like staphylococci can cause food poisoning. Particularly dangerous infections can happen if the microorganisms have a way of breaking down body tissue or T-cells. If this happens, infections can spread faster and throughout more parts of the body to include the lungs and heart.
Prevention of infections can be easy or difficult, depending on what type of microorganisms you are warring against. To prevent salmonella and other food poisonings, it is best to thoroughly cook your meats, especially pork. General prevention of infections can be done by consistently washing your hands and keeping them out of your mouth. Also, should you be cut-no matter how small-apply disinfectants or isopropyl alcohol and cover with a band aid. Even a small infection, left untreated, could go gangrene and require an amputation of the affected limb.
So don't take a little cut lightly. Microorganisms might be tiny, but give them a little entryway and they will do a lot of damage.
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