INFECTIONS
All bodies contain squillions of micro-organisms, which are tiny, microscopic living things. Most of these are quite happy, and often helpful, like the bacteria in our intestines which help to break down food. Both the host (the body) and the micro-organisms get something out of the relationship, or at least do each other no harm. The body has mechanisms for making sure the bugs don’t get out of hand. The body’s natural defences are its skin, which acts as a mechanical barrier, and its immune system. The immune system includes a range of bug-killing cells (white blood cells, or ‘leucocytes’ ), which float around in the blood stream, like patrolling security guards, making sure the bugs stay in check.
Infections are the conditions or diseases we get when we have a microorganism, either from our own body, or from elsewhere, which is multiplying rapidly, and is causing damage to our body.
When micro-organisms start overgrowing, the body usually responds by trying to kill them. It does this by increasing the production of its white blood cells, and may do other things, like raising the temperature, to make it harder for the bugs to survive (which is where fevers come from).
The battle may be localised and brief, or drawn out and deadly. We have developed other methods of fighting bugs, such as antibiotics and antiseptics, and the bugs have often fought back by adapting themselves (for example, developing resistance to our antibiotics).
Not all micro-organisms cause serious infections, but there are an enormous number, and some of them can cause more than one type of infection. The major groups of micro-organisms are: bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Bacteria. Some of the infections caused by bacteria include:
• abscesses and boils (infections with pus are generally bacterial)
• urinary tract (bladder and kidney) infections
• gonorrhoea
• chlamydia
• blood poisoning (septicaemia)
• tonsillitis
• tuberculosis
• middle ear infections*
• pneumonia*
• meningitis*
(*may also be caused by viruses)
Viruses. Some of the infections caused by viruses include:
• the common cold, and most upper respiratory tract infections, including croup
• mumps
• measles
• influenza (flu)
• rubella (German measles)
• gastroenteritis
• glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)
• hepatitis (A, B and C)
• AIDS
• herpes (coldsores)
• warts
• middle ear infections*
• pneumonia*
• meningitis* (*also caused by bacteria)
Fungal infections. These include:
• tinea
• ringworm
• thrush (vaginal candidiasis)
Parasitic infections. These include:
• malaria
• intestinal worms (tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, pinworm)
• giardia
There are heaps and heaps more, but this is not a textbook on microbiology.
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Tags: Women’s Health