May 8, 2025
Science

What actually is an infection? You may swallow your tongue when you hear how many people die from infections every year

  • February 9, 2024
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Although these microscopic enemies are invisible, they can greatly impact our daily lives. Although our immune system immediately intervenes and starts a war to neutralize them when they

Although these microscopic enemies are invisible, they can greatly impact our daily lives. Although our immune system immediately intervenes and starts a war to neutralize them when they enter our body, sometimes especially when our immune system is weakened. infections causes serious problems.

For the long-term struggle “What is an infection?” Knowing the answer to the question is directly related to understanding the most common types and taking precautions against them. Then: “Neither with you, nor without you.” Since we’re being sincere, let’s take a closer look at the infections we mentioned.

We have fully detailed the infection:

  • “What is an infection?” Let’s get to know them first with a general definition like:
  • How do infections enter our body?
  • What are the most common types of infections in the world?
    • sepsis
    • pneumonia
    • Urinary tract infection
    • Meningitis
    • wound infections
    • Tuberculosis
    • Diarrhea
  • Infections rank fourth in the list of causes of death worldwide.
  • Deaths from infections also vary by income group.
  • How can we protect ourselves against infections?

“What is an infection?” Let’s get to know them first with a general definition like:

Infections that begin with the entry and spread of microorganisms in the body bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites is available. Each of them has different ways of entering the body and proliferation strategies.

While viruses multiply by using our cells as a ‘factory’, bacteria usually reside in body fluids. reproduces freely. The way our bodies deal with it is also different; In some cases we produce antibodies, and in other cases we intervene directly through our special cells. Of course, antibiotic treatment is necessary to make some of them go away.

How do infections enter our body?

We absorb the infections that are constantly around us into our bodies in different ways. Types of infections spread can be stated as follows:

  • By plane: by droplets that end up in the air when coughing and sneezing
  • Direct contact: Skin-to-skin contact or touching an infected surface
  • Contaminated food and water: Consuming infected food or water
  • By blood: By transfusion of infected blood or contaminated needles
  • Via vectors: with disease-causing organisms, such as mosquito bites

What are the most common types of infections in the world?

meningococcal

sepsis

Septic shock, which occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and grow rapidly, affects one in five people in the world. Sepsis, which sometimes causes organ failure and death if left untreated the type of bacteria causing the infection It cannot be identified and this makes the treatment process difficult.

pneumonia

Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fever, chills, phlegm and coughing pneumoniais one of the leading causes of death in children under five in the world. This type of infection is caused by bacteria and viruses pneumoniaAlthough it has become a vaccine-preventable condition, it affects the health of many people.

Urinary tract infection

It occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply. urinary tract infectionsIt is one of the most common types of infections in the world. This infection, which manifests itself in a burning sensation when urinating, blood in the urine and a sharp needle, can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, if the infection turns into sepsis, it can result in death in some cases.

Meningitis

Meningitis, caused by a virus or fungus, surrounds the brain and spinal cord and causes serious damage. Meningococcal Although this type is the most serious, it becomes fatal in a short time.

Although meningitis is included in the routine vaccination schedule in many countries to prevent this disease, the disease is unfortunately not diagnosed in our country. paid vaccinations inside. More detailed information on this topic can be found here.

wound infections

Whether from surgery or a minor injury, bacteria that enter the open wound settle in the body and cause an infection. chronic wounds 40 million people are affected worldwide every year. Especially in patients with type 2 diabetes, wound infections often seen.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which infects the lungs types of lower respiratory infections someone. Drug resistance makes this infection a deadly strain. On the other hand, tuberculosis vaccine is among the most common vaccines in the world.

Diarrhea

The second leading cause of death in children under 5 years old is diarrhea, which is the result of diarrhea every year More than half a million children die. Although for a while there were deaths due to fluid loss associated with diarrhea, sepsis has recently been added to these figures. E. Coli infection is considered one of the most common causes of diarrhea.

Infections rank fourth in the list of causes of death worldwide.

This is evident from the 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report infectious diseases, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. worldwide Cause of 7.7 million deathshas been linked to infections caused by 33 types of bacteria. This corresponds to 1 in 8 of all deaths worldwide.

lower respiratory infections, became the deadliest infectious disease in the world and ranked fourth. In 2000, there was a decrease of 460 thousand in the number of deaths due to this infection. 2019 reports show the number of deaths from lower respiratory infections as 2.6 million.

While HIV/AIDS was among the top 10 causes of death in 2000, this type of infection is not included in the 2019 data. Death rates for HIV and AIDS It drops by 51 percent, dropping to 19th place in 2019.

Deaths from infections also vary by income group.

Mortality rates of people living in low-income countries number of infectious diseases more. Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are in the top 10. In all three cases there has been a decrease compared to 2000. The largest decrease is again HIV/AIDS, with a percentage of 59 percent.

Among the deaths in high-income countries is lower respiratory infections It ranks 6th.

How can we protect ourselves against infections?

There are many ways to protect yourself from infections. It is useful to pay attention to some points in our lifestyle, avoid infections as much as possible and apply some of the prevention methods of medicine. COVID-19, flu, Vaccines are available that protect against certain infections, such as tuberculosis and meningitis. Of course also after vaccination contract an infection It is possible, but the symptoms can often be less severe.

Handling food safely is infection prevention methods between. Washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, avoiding uncooked or undercooked seafood, and washing food preparation surfaces with soap and water are just a few things you can do.

Making changes to our daily habits is also effective in preventing diseases. In addition to hygiene rules such as washing hands before preparing food and after using the toilet, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoiding contact with people with contagious diseases, not drinking dirty water, not engaging in any form of sex. use condom It belongs to the methods of infection prevention.

Although better methods are being developed to combat these diseases thanks to advances in science, the expansion of preventive health care and vaccinations, raising hygiene standards and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, important points to make when managing infectious diseases.

Sources: WHO, National Library of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia, Cleveland Clinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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