Our bodies often respond with fever (heat inactivates many viruses), the secretion of a chemical called interferon (which blocks viruses from reproducing), or by marshaling the immune system's antibodies and other cells to target the invader.
The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence.
Antibodies. Antibodies help the body to fight microbes or the toxins (poisons) they produce. They do this by recognising substances called antigens on the surface of the microbe, or in the chemicals they produce, which mark the microbe or toxin as being foreign. The antibodies then mark these antigens for destruction.
The final stage of infection is known as convalescence. During this stage, symptoms resolve, and a person can return to their normal functions. Depending on the severity of the infection, some people may have permanent damage even after the infection resolves.
Signs and symptoms of an infection
a change in your temperature – 37.5°C or higher or below 36°C. feeling generally unwell – not able to get out of bed. flu-like symptoms – feeling cold and shivery, headaches, and aching muscles. coughing up green phlegm.
The following are signs you have a serious infection: Severe headache. Constant vomiting. Bloodstained vomit, stool, or urine.
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.
Microbes can also cause: Acute infections, which are short-lived. Chronic infections, which can last for weeks, months, or a lifetime. Latent infections, which may not cause symptoms at first but can reactivate over a period of months and years.
a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature. a change in mental state – like confusion or disorientation. slurred speech. cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin.
Sepsis occurs when your immune system has a dangerous reaction to an infection. It causes extensive inflammation throughout your body that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and even death. Many different kinds of infections can trigger sepsis, which is a medical emergency.
Fatigue is a common symptom of many different infections. It is a normal part of the body's response to fighting an infection. Usually the fatigue goes away quickly once the body has dealt with the infection.
While some minor wound infections can heal on their own, untreated infected wounds can leave a scar, at best, or lead to more serious complications — including death — at worst.
Many infections will be self-contained and resolve on their own, such as a scratch or infected hair follicle. Other infections, if left untreated, can become more severe and require medical intervention.
Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics. We rely on antibiotics to treat serious, life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis, the body's extreme response to an infection.
In addition to preventing infections, there is evidence that good sleep can help in fighting off infections quicker. The cytokines which can help prevent infection are also crucial in fighting infections in the body. Chief among these is interleukin 1 (IL-1), which has been studied at length concerning sleep.
Although the precise alterations depend on the pathogen (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites), the host and the route of infection, at some time during the course of most infections there is an increase in the amount of time spent in NREM sleep and a decrease in the amount of REM sleep.
Eventually, the CD4+ T cell population becomes so depleted that the individual starts to experience other, opportunistic, infections. This marks the beginning of the final phase, commonly known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS, which eventually results in death.
Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours.1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
High heart rate or weak pulse. Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold. Confusion or disorientation. Shortness of breath.
Sepsis can be divided into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.