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, 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. For more information, go to a and search for “infection“ A message from Cincinnati Children’s. #infection #germs #immunesystem