Infection Wiper

Symptoms of infection

The symptoms of an infection can vary depending on the type of infection that you have. Some general symptoms that can indicate you may have an infection include:

fever or chills
body aches and pains
feeling tired or fatigued
coughing or sneezing
digestive upset, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Fungal infections

Fungi are another diverse group of organisms that can include things like yeasts and molds. They can be found throughout the environment, including in the soil, indoors in moist areas like bathrooms, and on or in our bodies.

Sometimes fungi are so small that you can’t see them with the naked eye. Other times, you’re able to see them, such as when you notice mold on your bathroom tile.

Not all fungi can make you ill, but some examples of fungal infections include:

vaginal yeast infections
ringworm
athlete’s foot
thrush
aspergillosis
histoplasmosis
Cryptococcus infection
fungal meningitis

Bacterial infections

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms. They’re very diverse, coming in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

Bacteria can be found in all sorts of environments, including soil, bodies of water, and in or on our bodies. Some can survive extreme temperatures or even radiation exposureTrusted Source.

Although there are a great many bacteria in and on our bodies, these bacteria often don’t cause disease. In fact, the bacteria in our digestive tract can help us digest our food.

However, sometimes bacteria can enter our bodies and cause an infection. Some examples of bacterial infections include:

strep throat
bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs), often caused by coliform bacteria
bacterial food poisoning, often caused by E. coli, Salmonella, or Shigella
bacterial cellulitis, such as due to Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
bacterial vaginosis
gonorrhea
chlamydia
syphilis
Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
tuberculosis
whooping cough
pneumococcal pneumonia
bacterial meningitis
Lyme disease
cholera
botulism
tetanus
anthrax

Viral infections

Viruses are very tiny infectious organisms. They’re even smaller than bacteria. On the most basic level, a virus is composed of a piece of genetic material that’s surrounded by a protein shell. Some viruses may have an additional envelope or other features on their surface.

Viruses are parasitic and require a host cell in which to carry out their life cycle. Once the virus has entered the host cell, it’s able to use cellular components to reproduce. New viruses are released from the host cell, a process that’ll sometimes cause the host cell to die.

Some examples of viral infections include:

influenza (the flu)
common cold
measles
rubella
chickenpox
norovirus
polio
infectious mononucleosis (mono)
herpes simplex virus (HSV)
human papillomavirus (HPV)
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
viral hepatitis, which can include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E
viral meningitis
West Nile Virus
rabies
ebola

Possible treatments

Most of the time, the treatment of viral infections centers on relieving symptoms until your immune system clears the infection.

In some cases, antiviral drugs may be available to help treat a viral infection. Some examples of viral infections for which antivirals are available include HIV, herpes, and hepatitis C.

Some viruses stay with you for life once you’ve been infected. They can lie dormant within your body and may reactivate. Some examples include herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Infections: What You Need to Know

An infection occurs when another organism enters your body and causes disease. The organisms that cause infections are very diverse and can include things like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

You can acquire an infection in many different ways, such as directly from a person with an infection, via contaminated food or water, and even through the bite of an insect.

Let’s take a closer look at infections, the types of organisms that cause them, and actions you can take to help prevent becoming ill.