A microorganism that invades the body may cause an infection. However, not all microorganisms are harmful, in fact most are not. Many microorganisms live on and in the human body with little or no noticeable effect. As a matter of fact, you have many microorganisms living in your nose, mouth, intestines, and elsewhere right now. Some of these microorganisms actually perform beneficial tasks including killing other harmful microorganisms.
Sometimes harmful microorganisms gain the upper hand on the beneficial ones. When this happens an infection may follow. In order to cause infection, these harmful microorganisms must enter the body and attach themselves to otherwise normal human cells. They then multiply, spreading the infection. At this point the body reacts by sending white
blood cells to the infected area. The white blood cells attack the infection.
Some people who have
suppressed immune systems, such as the elderly or those with
AIDS or other immune compromising conditions, are more susceptible to infections as the invading microorganisms may overwhelm their natural defenses.
View sub-topics at right to learn more about some specific infections and some of their common causes.
See Also
- AIDS & HIV: Overview
- Campylobacter Infections
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Common Cold: Overview
- Cryptosporidiosis: Overview
- Gangrene
- Giardiasis: Overview
- Hepatitis: Overview
- Humidifier Fever: Overview
- Influenza: Overview
- Listeriosis: Overview
- Myocarditis: Overview
- Nosocomial & Postoperative Infections
- Pseudomonas Dermatitis: Overview
- Salmonellosis: Overview
- Sepsis
- Shigellosis: Overview
- Aranesp / Darbepoetin Alfa
- Artificial Nail Remover: Overview
- Bachtold Brothers Inc. Brush Cutters
- Bedbugs
- Benzene
- Cabot-Koppers, Gainesville
- Catheters
- Central Vein Catheterization: Overview
- Chattahoochee River: Overview
- Chorionic Villus Sampling
- Cigarette Fires
- Clinipad Antiseptic Sterile Products
- Clostridium
- Colfax Treating Co. & Durawood - Pineville, Louisiana & Alexandria, Louisiana
- Cryolife Recall: Overview
- Cryptosporidium Parvum: Overview
- Diesel Exhaust
- E. coli
- Electric Blankets
- Eloxatin / Oxaliplatin: Overview
- Extended Wear Contact Lenses: Overview
- Ford Crown Victoria
- Gas Cans
- Gas Station Static Electricity Fires
- GEL Landfill: Overview
- General Motors Vehicles
- Geneva Steel - Vineyard, Utah
- Group B Strep - Diagnosis Errors
- Gun Violence: Overview
- Gynecare Intergel
- Heart Rhythm Devices, Pacemakers and Defibrillators: Overview
- Highland Park Care Center
- Hospital Bed Fires
- Ipriflavone: Overview
- Johnson & Johnson/Depuy Polyethylene Knee Prostheses
- Kindred Healthcare
- Mascara, Eye Shadow, and Eyeliner: Overview
- Mattress Fires
- Merit Cigarettes
- Multi-Purpose Lighters
- Nellcor CapnoProbe SLS-1 Sublingual Sensors
- NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis System (NCP)
- North Battleford
- Plastic Surgery: Overview
- Polio Vaccine: Overview
- Pool Accidents
- Produce (Fruits & Vegetables)
- Railroad Workers & The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)
- Remicade / Infliximab
- Rheumatrex / Methotrexate
- School Buses & Commercial Lines
- Smith & Nephew Knee Implants
- Sulzer Knee Replacement
- Tattoos & Permanent Makeup (Micropigmentation)
- VA-Sponsored Medical Experiments - Electrical Wires
- Vermeer Round Hay Baler
- Water Parks & Slides: Overview
- Infections: Frequently Asked Questions