What do you understand about infections?

We are all susceptible to infections, mostly mild runny nose, but there are also a few more serious cases. How do we explain how the disease spreads, why are some people more susceptible than others and how to prevent them?

Human nature is to seek them to explain what happened to them. So when we have an infection, we want to know where it comes from and why we get it.

This disease is often unpredictable. Infections are caused by microscopic microorganisms, viruses and fungi so we cannot see their pathways. Although we can, it will be difficult to recognize all the dangers between millions of harmless small bacteria that surround us.

Over the years, science has discovered where harmful microbes are hidden and how they move. This helps doctors predict the disease trend. So only careful lab tests can track the origin of the infection.

Microorganism

Bacteria E.coli (Photo: BBC)

Microorganisms are things that cannot be avoided, they are in the air and on every surface that we come in contact with and in food. We cannot avoid microorganisms, they are in the air, our breaths. They are present on every surface we touch and in our food.

Many bacteria and viruses in our home are harmless, or our bodies are resistant to them. However, the cause of the disease can be brought by strangers. For example, if someone has a cold, they will spread the virus into the air when they sneeze and leave the germs on whatever they come into contact with. And we can become infected by breathing or touching an object that has been contaminated or contaminated.

When we reach a new environment, we will have to interact with the bacteria or viruses that our immune system has never encountered before. Therefore, although new pathogens do not cause illness at all, it also makes newcomers feel unwell.

Infection from food

Food and water also cause infections. Raw food contains many small microorganisms. Most of them are harmless or good for the body by growth in the intestines and protect them from harmful bacteria. However, many other agents can cause illness, especially if food is contaminated or comes into contact with animal waste, or has not been fully cooked.

In 1980, the outbreak of infection with the harmful agent was E. coli, a bacterium commonly found in animal intestines found in many types of minced beef. Since then, many other infections with this bacterium have been regarded as derived from eating undercooked beef.

Close contact

Salmonella (Photo: BBC)

We are also infected with harmful bacteria when exposed through skin to other people or animal skin.

From birth, we have been infected with bacteria or viruses from the skin or the body fluids. Among these bacteria, there are some dangerous types such as Hepatitis B virus, HIV, Herpes or a common bacteria on the skin are staph. When growing up, gonorrhea and HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Exposure to animals causes us to be exposed to new types of bacteria. A bite of a rabid dog can cause rabies, or we are susceptible to Salmonella (a bacterium that makes food toxic) when cleaning the reptile's barn.

Infection at the hospital

Some medical facilities, especially hospitals, are home to a multitude of dangerous bacteria. Patients themselves are susceptible to infection because their immune systems are weakened because they are sick.

Worse, microorganisms that survive after each treatment become resistant or stronger. An example of many worries in recent years is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

These bacteria are very contagious. Healthy people can live with having them on their skin or in the nose without getting sick. This is called a ' colonization ' or a carrier.

Health workers, visitors or patients' family members are the ones who spread the bacteria. About 30% of us become golden staph germs and unknowingly pass the bacteria on to those who are susceptible to infection.

The danger of infections

Why are some people susceptible to infection, others? The disease depends on which factors and how the immune system can protect the body.

- Genes: Less or more genetic abnormalities can reduce immunity, making people particularly susceptible to infection.
- Previous exposure: If our body is parasitic by the microorganism first, the immune system may be affected more quickly.
- Age: Children and the elderly are susceptible to infections and less resistant to disease.
- Illnesses: Sick people may suffer from an impairment of the immune system.
- Pharmaceuticals: Many oral medications can interfere with the immune system like the steroid used to treat asthma.
- Surgery: Skin is a major barrier to infection, however, when the incision or scratches caused by injury or surgery create conditions for microorganisms to enter the body.
- Nutritional deficiency: Nutritional deficiencies can affect immune system activity.

Prevention

In the future, with advanced science and sophisticated experiments can help us know the starting point of infections. Until then, prevention is needed to reduce the risk of infection.

- Wash your hands regularly (this is a necessity to reduce the risk of other infections).
- Keep the immune system healthy by adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise and reasonable rest.
- Store food carefully and always cook.
- Safe sex.
- Stay away from high risk situations so avoid people with flu and high alert when entering the hospital.

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