Infections

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¶

1. AIDS & HIV: Overview
2. Campylobacter Infections
3. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
4. Common Cold: Overview
5. Cryptosporidiosis: Overview
6. Gangrene
7. Giardiasis: Overview
8. Hepatitis: Overview
9. Humidifier Fever: Overview
10. Influenza: Overview
11. Listeriosis: Overview
12. Myocarditis: Overview
13. Nosocomial & Postoperative Infections
14. Pseudomonas Dermatitis: Overview
15. Salmonellosis: Overview
16. Sepsis
17. Shigellosis: Overview
18. Aranesp / Darbepoetin Alfa
19. Artificial Nail Remover: Overview
20. Bachtold Brothers Inc. Brush Cutters
21. Bedbugs
22. Benzene
23. Cabot-Koppers, Gainesville
24. Catheters
25. Central Vein Catheterization: Overview
26. Chattahoochee River: Overview
27. Chorionic Villus Sampling
28. Cigarette Fires
29. Clinipad Antiseptic Sterile Products
30. Clostridium
31. Colfax Treating Co. & Durawood - Pineville, Louisiana & Alexandria, Louisiana
32. Cryolife Recall: Overview
33. Cryptosporidium Parvum: Overview
34. Diesel Exhaust
35. E. coli
36. Electric Blankets
37. Eloxatin / Oxaliplatin: Overview
38. Extended Wear Contact Lenses: Overview
39. Ford Crown Victoria
40. Gas Cans
41. Gas Station Static Electricity Fires
42. GEL Landfill: Overview
43. General Motors Vehicles
44. Geneva Steel - Vineyard, Utah
45. Group B Strep - Diagnosis Errors
46. Gun Violence: Overview
47. Gynecare Intergel
48. Heart Rhythm Devices, Pacemakers and Defibrillators: Overview
49. Highland Park Care Center
50. Hospital Bed Fires
51. Ipriflavone: Overview
52. Johnson & Johnson/Depuy Polyethylene Knee Prostheses
53. Kindred Healthcare
54. Mascara, Eye Shadow, and Eyeliner: Overview
55. Mattress Fires
56. Merit Cigarettes
57. Multi-Purpose Lighters
58. Nellcor CapnoProbe SLS-1 Sublingual Sensors
59. NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis System (NCP)
60. North Battleford
61. Plastic Surgery: Overview
62. Polio Vaccine: Overview
63. Pool Accidents
64. Produce (Fruits & Vegetables)
65. Railroad Workers & The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)
66. Remicade / Infliximab
67. Rheumatrex / Methotrexate
68. School Buses & Commercial Lines
69. Smith & Nephew Knee Implants
70. Sulzer Knee Replacement
71. Tattoos & Permanent Makeup (Micropigmentation)
72. VA-Sponsored Medical Experiments - Electrical Wires
73. Vermeer Round Hay Baler
74. Water Parks & Slides: Overview
75. Infections: Frequently Asked Questions