Infection and Inflammation: Difference between pages

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An '''infection''' is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species.  The infecting organism seeks to utilize the host's resources in order to multiply at the expense of the host. This [[Pathogen|pathogen]] interferes with the normal functioning of the host and can lead to chronic [[Wound|wounds]], gangrene, loss of an infected limb or even death.
'''Inflammation''' is the first response of the immune system to [[Infection|infection]] or irritation.  Inflammation is characterized by the following: redness, heat, [[Swelling|swelling]], [[Pain|pain]] and [[Dysfunction|dysfunction]] of the organs involved.


An infection is generally characterized by inflammation, redness of the general area and/or increased temperature of the surrounding tissue, although this varies from case to case.
__TOC__


Some easily identifiable and common infections include:
== Characteristics ==
<pre>
Inflammation has two main components - cellular and exudative.
- Impetigo
- Cellulitis
- Ecthyma
- Erythrasma
- Folliculitis
- Boils
- Leprosy
- Viral exanthem
- Herpes Type 1
- Herpes zoster
- Human papilloma virus
- Varicella zoster
- Dematophyte infection
- Candida albicans
- Pityrosporum
- Scabies
- Eczema
</pre>


== How to Avoid ==
The exudative component involves the movement of fluid, usually containing many important proteins such as fibrin and immunoglobulins ([[Antibodies|antibodies]]).  Blood vessels are dilated upstream of an infection (causing redness and heat) and constricted downstream while capillary permeability to the affected tissue is increased, resulting in a net loss of blood plasma into the tissue - giving rise to swelling.  The swelling distends the tissues, compresses [[Nerve|nerve]] endings, and thus causes pain.
Avoiding infections is actually very easy and doesn't require much of you:


Most infections are cause by lack of personal hygiene, washing your hands frequently, brushing your teeth after eating and other simple things that are commonly expected of people go a long way when it come to preventing an infection. In case your job puts you in environments were you are exposed to bacterias (cook, waiter, plumber, medical doctor... if you're a medical doctor you should already know this), take necessary precautions, use masks and gloves to avoid coming in direct contact of possibly infected materials among other things. Some cuisines feature raw meats and similar things in their dishes, try to avoid these, things like steak tartar, raw kibe, sushi and rare meat (as in typical brazilian and argentinean barbecues), open wound in the mouth like labrets and tongue piercings are very prone to infections of this sort.
The cellular component involves the movement of white blood cells from blood vessels into the inflamed tissue.  The white blood cells, or leukocytes, take on an important role in inflammation; they extravasate (filter out) from the capillaries into tissue, and act as phagocytes, picking up [[Bacteria|bacteria]] and cellular debris. They may also aid by walling off an infection and preventing its spread.
In case of scarification, implants and surface piercings, keeping the wound covered and passing an anti-bacterial cream or gel (if you still feel unsafe about only one product, consult a doctor before mixing) is a must, remember to change the bandage 3 times a day but giving the wound at least 20 minutes of air before covering it up again '''DURING THE ENTIRE HEALING PROCESS''', even if a wound looks closed it still is open to infections thanks to the lack of consistency and density on the tissue covering it.
 
Neutrophils are characteristic of inflammation in the early stages - they are the first cells to appear in an infected area, and any section of recently inflamed (within a couple of days or so) tissue viewed under a microscope will appear packed with them.  They are easily identified by their multilobed nuclei and granular cytoplasm and perform many important functions, including phagocytosis and the release of extracellular chemical messengers. Neutrophils only live for a couple days in these interstitial areas, so if the inflammation persists for a longer duration then they are gradually replaced by longer-lived monocytes.
 
== Systemic inflammation ==
=== Sepsis ===
When inflammation overwhelms the whole organism, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is diagnosed. When it is due to infection, the term [[Sepsis|sepsis]] is applied. Vasodilation and organ dysfunction are serious problems that may lead to [[Septic Shock|septic shock]] and death.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Bladder Infection]]
* [[Sepsis|Sepsis]]
* [[Brain Infection]]
* [[Septic Shock|Septic Shock]]
* [[Dry Gangrene]]
* [[Anti-inflammatory|Anti-inflammatory]]
* [[Scrotal Infection]]

Latest revision as of 05:49, 17 September 2023

Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation. Inflammation is characterized by the following: redness, heat, swelling, pain and dysfunction of the organs involved.

Characteristics

Inflammation has two main components - cellular and exudative.

The exudative component involves the movement of fluid, usually containing many important proteins such as fibrin and immunoglobulins (antibodies). Blood vessels are dilated upstream of an infection (causing redness and heat) and constricted downstream while capillary permeability to the affected tissue is increased, resulting in a net loss of blood plasma into the tissue - giving rise to swelling. The swelling distends the tissues, compresses nerve endings, and thus causes pain.

The cellular component involves the movement of white blood cells from blood vessels into the inflamed tissue. The white blood cells, or leukocytes, take on an important role in inflammation; they extravasate (filter out) from the capillaries into tissue, and act as phagocytes, picking up bacteria and cellular debris. They may also aid by walling off an infection and preventing its spread.

Neutrophils are characteristic of inflammation in the early stages - they are the first cells to appear in an infected area, and any section of recently inflamed (within a couple of days or so) tissue viewed under a microscope will appear packed with them. They are easily identified by their multilobed nuclei and granular cytoplasm and perform many important functions, including phagocytosis and the release of extracellular chemical messengers. Neutrophils only live for a couple days in these interstitial areas, so if the inflammation persists for a longer duration then they are gradually replaced by longer-lived monocytes.

Systemic inflammation

Sepsis

When inflammation overwhelms the whole organism, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is diagnosed. When it is due to infection, the term sepsis is applied. Vasodilation and organ dysfunction are serious problems that may lead to septic shock and death.

See Also

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