Although
medical progress has been made to eradicate or control
many infectious diseases, humankind remains vulnerable
to a wide array of new organisms. The problem is complicated
by rapid biological & evolutionary processes in
microorganisms that result in the emergence of new,
potentially dangerous bacteria, viruses, fungi and
parasites.
Infection
is defined as the process by which germs enter a susceptible
site in the body and multiply, resulting in disease.
Infectious diseases are caused by microscopic
organisms - including bacteria, viruses,
fungi and animal parasites - that penetrate
the body’s natural barriers and multiply to create
symptoms that can range from mild to deadly.
Common
ways in which infectious agents enter the body are
through skin contact, inhalation of airborne microbes,
ingestion of contaminated food or water, bites from
vectors (such as ticks or mosquitoes) that carry and
transmit organisms, sexual contact and transmission
from mothers to their unborn children via the birth
canal and placenta.
More
Information on Infection can be found
in the dedication section on our website.
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