Whether the individual acquired common cold or a draining wound, anyone is at risk for infection at some point in life. It is vital to be well aware of the common routes in which infection-causing pathogens can enter the body.
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Opening in the skin
The skin serves as a barrier against infection. If an individual sustained a scratch, insect bite or puncture, the germs on the skin surface can enter the bloodstream. Additionally, wounds or sores in the mucous membrane lining the nose or the mouth can also serve as a pathway for infection to enter the body.
Common infections in the skin
- Cellulitis is usually caused by the streptococcal bacteria once it enters the body via an open wound. The skin becomes red, sore and inflamed along with symptoms such as fatigue, fever or chills. Antibiotics are commonly used to manage this infection before it spreads into the bloodstream.
- Impetigo can be caused by the strep or staph bacteria which is a highly contagious infection. This is quite common among children and rarely affects adults.
Respiratory tract
The common cold is an upper respiratory infection that develops when an individual breathes in any of the numerous cold-causing viruses. Once a virus enters the body, it moves into the respiratory tract up to the lungs.
Take note that the rhinoviruses are known to trigger common cold. Influenza, cough and other airborne infections are also acquired in this manner.
How infection starts in the digestive tract
Many of us are at risk for consuming food or beverages that have been infected with viruses and bacteria. As a result, the microorganism can readily infect the stomach or bowels.
Most of us have experience stomach upset at one point in our lives that can oftentimes manifest in the form of vomiting and/or diarrhea. A good example is bacterial gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
Anyone can acquire food poisoning if meat or poultry that was exposed to bacteria during the processing was eaten or if produce has been exposed to water that has been contaminated by human or animal waste or due to incorrect handling of food.
Urinary and reproductive systems
It is important to note that pathogens can also enter the body via the urinary system particularly urinary tract infection. As for the reproductive system, it is evident with sexually transmitted diseases.
In most circumstances, the infectious agent might be localized or enter the bloodstream. Some of the sexually transmitted diseases usually affect the genitals while HIV can spread via the bodily fluids and transmitted in blood, saliva or seminal fluid.