What is Infection | Cincinnati Children's

Hello! I'm Melanie Dubose, an infection preventionist at Cincinnati Children's and you're probably wondering...
What is an infection?
Well, a quick explanation is that an infection occurs when germs find their way into a place they don’t belong and grow in numbers beyond a level that the immune system is able to defend against.
Infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, parasites and other microorganisms. These causes can occur from:
-Direct contact with another person that is infected
-Indirect spread from contact with the environment
-Contaminated food or water
and Contact with an infected animal or insect
Some symptoms of any infection are:
-Fever
-Pain
-Fatigue
-Warmth, Redness and Swelling at the specific infection site
Depending on the kind of infection, you might have a sore throat, cough, runny nose, or it could hurt when you pee.
There are a variety of tests doctors use to diagnose an infection and depending on the symptoms different samples of body fluids are collected like:
-Blood
-Mucus from a throat or nose swab
-Urine or stool
and Spinal fluid

The majority of infections don't require treatment for most people with a fully functioning immune system. However, when a person's body can't handle an infection:
-Medication to help ease pain and fever like Tylenol or Ibuprofen and antibiotics of different types.
-Sometimes an infected person will need to go to the doctor for other treatment, like draining a wound or so they can be watched closely.
The best defense against infection is a good offense, so to help avoid infections:
-Have good hand and body hygiene by washing frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
-Avoid sharing personal items like combs, toothbrushes and other things that can't be or haven't been properly disinfected.
-Clean and cover scrapes and cuts with clean bandages.
-Prepare food in a sanitary manner
-Avoid unknown pets and wild animals
-Use bug spray on yourself and repellant when appropriate for household pets to avoid contact with infected insects
-Get vaccinated
And be aware of infection risks if traveling and follow instructions to prevent infection
If you are already infected:
-then stay home to rest and recover
-avoid getting other people sick
And cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

So, remember...Infection can be caused by a variety of different organisms in different ways. There are many different ways you can reduce the chances of an infection happening. Many infections are taken care of by a body's immune system and others require medical treatment.
Contact your doctor or seek medical care if symptoms are not getting better, getting worse or keep coming back despite treatment.
A message from Cincinnati Children's.

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