Infections:

Bacterial Infections

An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign organism. An infection is, in effect, a war in which the infecting organism seeks to utilize the host's resources in order to multiply at the expense of the host. The infecting organism, or pathogen, interferes with the normal functioning and perhaps the survival of the host. A pathogen is usually considered a microscopic organism though the definition is broader, including bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, prions, and viroids. The branch of medicine that focuses on infections and pathogens is infectious disease.

Bacterial infections are caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms that damage host tissue. The extent of infection is generally determined by how many organisms are present and the toxins they release. Worldwide, bacterial infections are responsible for more deaths than any other cause.

Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms found in air, water, soil, and food. They live on plants, insects, animals, pets, and even in the human digestive system and upper respiratory tract. There are thousands of kinds of bacteria, but only a few actually cause disease in humans.

Under normal circumstances, people are protected from bacterial infection by a healthy immune system. Thus, maintaining the healthiest immune profile possible will help reduce the risk of bacterial infection.

The human body requires a balanced diet that provides nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for a functional and effective immune response. Immune function is impacted by factors including hormonal status, age, and nutritional status. Malnutrition results in a depressed immune system that raises the risk of infection.

Some Of The More Common Bacterial Infections Are Listed Below:

Viral Infections

Although types of viruses behave differently, most survive by taking over the machinery that makes a cell work. Briefly, when a single virus particle, a "virion", comes in contact with a cell it likes, it may attach to special landing sites on the surface of that cell. From there, the virus may inject molecules into the cell, or the cell may swallow up the virion. Once inside the cell, viral molecules such as DNA or RNA direct the cell to make new virus offspring. That's how a virus "infects" a cell.

Many viral infections do not result in disease. For example, by the time most people in the United States become adults, they have been infected by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Most of these people, however, do not develop CMV disease symptoms. Other viral infections can result in deadly diseases, such as HIV infection, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

More than 300 viruses in animals have been discovered. Some are harmless and others cause disease, such as the common cold or measles. Other viruses include the flu virus, the chickenpox virus, the Ebola virus, and the virus that causes AIDS.

Some Of The More Common Viral Infections Are Listed Below:

Treatment Of Infection Requires A Strong Immune System. To Strengthen The Immune System, See: Immune System

Infection Information: Natural News 10/2/2009 - Do Not Kill A Fever: Fever Kills Viruses

Infection Information: Dr. Mercola 10/8/2000 - Healthcare Workers Are Source Of Infections

Infection Information: Dr. Mercola 10/15/2000 - Maggot Therapy

Infection Information: Dr. Mercola 5/4/2005 - Sugar Increases Viral Infections

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