“I caught [the] flu while in Singapore two years ago which then managed to become a viral infection giving the symptoms of a heart attack,” wrote a forum member at ExperienceProject.com, sharing his experience of viral infection. “Despite several hospital visits, doctors found no sign of heart disease and eventually, despite having occasional BP readings of 240/130, dismissed my symptoms as ‘being nothing wrong'.”
“I discussed the continuing decline in my health with my GP and the possibilities of a viral infection,” the forum member continued. “His advice was that he could not treat a virus and blood pressure pills would control the spikes, which they did not. Faced with increasing weakness and chest pains usually randomly around the chest and at any time of the day or night, I turned to alternative treatment.”
According to an article by Christian Nordqvist at MedicalNewsToday.com, many of us develop a wide range of infections but fight them off rapidly. Some people however develop persistent, long-term chronic infections. The majority is due to viruses such as hepatitis or herpes. Chronic bacterial infections are more likely to affect patients with diabetes as well as those with weakened immune systems.
Among the most common causes of infections mentioned in the MedicalNewsToday.com article are viral, bacterial and fungal infections. The following information is an adapted excerpt from the article.
Viral infections
Viruses are tiny organisms, much smaller than bacteria or fungi. The virus invades its host or the person with the virus and attaches to a cell, entering it and releasing genetic material (DNA or RNA). This genetic material helps the virus multiply and takes over control of the cell, making it replicate the virus. A cell that has this genetic material inserted into it cannot function properly and soon dies. When it does, it releases new viruses which infect new cells.
A person can get infected by:
- Inhaling
the virus (breathing it in)
- Being
bitten by infected insects or parasites
- Through
sexual contact
Respiratory infections of the upper airways, nose and throat are the most common forms of viral infections. Some antiviral medications may help by either undermining the virus' ability to reproduce or by boosting the patient's immune system.
Bacterial infections
Bacteria are tiny single-cell microorganisms belonging to a group all by themselves, usually a few micrometers in length that normally exist together in millions. A gram of soil typically contains about 40 million bacterial cells. A milliliter of fresh water usually holds about one million bacterial cells.
Bacteria can live in virtually any kind of environment, from extremely hot to cold, some even in radioactive waste. A number of bacteria live in our bodies, on our skin, airway, mouth, digestive and urinary tracts—most of the time without causing any harm to the host.
A relatively small number of bacteria cause diseases in humans. Some of the most deadly diseases and devastating epidemics in human history have been caused by bacteria, including:
- Cholera
- Diphtheria
- Dysentery
- Plague
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- Typhoid
- Typhus
Bacterial infections typically show up with localized redness and heat, inflammation (swelling) and pain. Even with a throat infection, a bacterial infection will usually have more severe pain on one side of the throat. If there is pain in just one ear, it is likely to be a bacterial infection.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infection or mycosis is caused by the presence of parasite fungi in or on a part of the body. Some fungi reproduce through very small airborne spores which people either inhale or pick up on their skin.
Patients on long-term strong antibiotics are at higher-than-normal risk of developing a fungal infection. Strong antibiotics can eventually reduce the population of good bacteria which help maintain the balance of microorganisms in the intestines, mouth, vagina and other parts of the body. If enough of these good bacteria are destroyed, the fungi have an opportunity to grow and cause health problems for the host.
Patients with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS and individuals receiving chemotherapy have a higher risk of developing a fungal infection. Diabetes patients, especially those who do not have good disease control are also more susceptible.
Useful Information on Treatments
for Infection (by NetDoctor.co.uk)
- Treatments
for Viral Infections
- Treatments
for Bacterial Infections
- Treatments
for Fungal Infections
by The National Academies
For professional help with infections, please consult a family doctor or
GP.
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