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An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. [1] An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable disease, is an illness resulting from an infection.
A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. [1] The term pathogen came into use in the 1880s. [2] [3] Typically, the term pathogen is used to describe an infectious microorganism or agent, such as a virus, bacterium, protozoan, prion, viroid, or fungus.
In the modern-day, the term has sometimes been broadened to encompass any communicable or infectious disease. Often the word can only be understood in context, where it is used to emphasize very infectious, easily transmitted, or especially severe communicable diseases. In 1849, John Snow first proposed that cholera was a contagious disease.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to concepts related to infectious diseases in humans.. Infection – transmission, entry/invasion after evading/overcoming defense, establishment, and replication of disease-causing microscopic organisms (pathogens) inside a host organism, and the reaction of host tissues to them and to the toxins they produce.
Infectious diseases capable of airborne transmission include many of considerable importance both in human and veterinary medicine. The relevant infectious agent may be viruses , bacteria , or fungi , and they may be spread through breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, raising of dust, spraying of liquids, flushing toilets , or any activities ...
Infectious diseases An opportunistic infection is a serious infection caused by pathogens ( bacteria , fungi , parasites or viruses ) that under normal conditions, such as in humans with uncompromised immune systems, would cause a mild infection or no infection at all.
Infectious mononucleosis is generally self-limiting, so only symptomatic or supportive treatments are used. Under research [23] Orthomyxoviridae species Influenza (flu) Diagnostic methods that can identify influenza include viral cultures, antibody- and antigen-detecting tests, and nucleic acid-based tests.
Infectious diseases Bloodstream infections ( BSIs ) are infections of blood caused by blood-borne pathogens . [ 1 ] The detection of microbes in the blood (most commonly accomplished by blood cultures [ 2 ] ) is always abnormal.