What is an infection?
Infections happen when another organism enters the body, causing disease. There are several types of organisms that cause infections, but the most common are viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic. Infections can be acquired in a number of ways such as contaminated food or water, direct contact with an infected person, indirect contact with an infected person, animal bites, and insect bites. Infections can happen in any part of the body, but common areas are skin infections, upper respiratory or lung infections, urinary tract infections, eye infections, and ear infections.
What are the symptoms of an infection?
Symptoms of infections vary depending on the type of infection contracted and the area of the body infected. Some general symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Body Aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing and sneezing
When to see a doctor
While some infections pass on their own, there are some situations that should always trigger a visit to the ER or your doctor. See a doctor if any of the following occur:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rash
- Unexplained swelling
- Animal bite
- Severe headache accompanied by high fever
- Prolonged or recurring symptoms
- Symptoms that worsen or don’t improve with at-home care
- It’s possible to contract an infection and have no symptoms at all like HPV.
Infections in Children
Infections in children are quite common, as children lack the awareness and good hygiene to prevent illness. Many of the most common childhood bacterial and viral infections and illnesses pass on their own without medication. But you should seek medical attention for any of the following:
- If your child already has a suppressed immune system, is recovering from a previous illness, or has a chronic illness like diabetes or asthma
- Your child is showing signs of dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to drink fluids
- Your child is having difficulty breathing, feels like they can’t catch their breath, or has bluish lips or fingers
- Your child is running a fever of greater than 100.4℉ in infants younger than 3 months, 102℉ in children 3 months – 3 years, or has a fever higher than 102℉ AND is not interested in playing, eating or drinking, is not alert, will not smile, or has a pale complexion in older children.
Very polite and felt welcome they didn’t mind doing their job all and all awesome
– Debbie
