Infections happen in people when bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, or other organisms enter the body and cause disease. The different types of infections are caused by various things and spread in unique ways. By understanding infections a bit better and the symptoms they cause, you can seek the appropriate treatment and take a more natural approach to caring for your health.
Bacterial Infections
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms, found in many different environments, and can be both harmful and beneficial. Some types of bacteria cause disease in the body, while other types help the digestive tract work properly. Urinary tract infections, strep throat, chlamydia, and tetanus are all examples of bacterial infections. E. coli that causes bacterial food poisoning, tuberculous, whooping cough, and anthrax are other types of bacteria that negative affect the body.
Common symptoms of bacterial infections include swelling, fever, and redness. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for bacterial infections in Western medicine but overuse of antibiotics makes the body resistant to them and therefore not as effective when future infections occur.
Viral Infections
Viruses are very small organisms that need to live inside a host to survive. They are smaller than bacteria and result in many different diseases in the human body. There are millions of species of fungi but only some of them cause infections.
Some of the most common ones are influenza, the common cold, chickenpox, and herpes. COVID-19 (coronavirus), HIV, measles, and West Nile Virus are other examples. There are vaccines available to prevent many, but not all, of these viruses. Some viruses remain in your body for the rest of your life, such as herpes, but they may become dormant and not flare up at all times. Depending on the type of virus, symptoms can include warts or target the central nervous system.
Parasite Infections
Like viruses, parasites need a host organism to survive and can cause bodily infections. Parasites that put the body at risk include one-celled organisms, worm-like organisms, and insects like fleas and ticks. Swelling, itching, feeling achy, and abdominal pain may result after being infected by a parasite. There are anti-parasitic medications that doctors will prescribe for these infections.
Fungal Infections
A fungus can also cause an infection when the body comes in contact with it in the environment. Yeasts and molds can cause this type of infection when you encounter them in moist areas or in soil outside. Examples of fungal infections include athlete’s foot, thrush, and vaginal yeast infections. Fungal infections are often marked by a rash on the skin.
Treating Infections Naturally
Homeopathic remedies offer a natural approach to keep yourself feeling well and able to overcome certain types of infections. Natural medicine practitioners recommend natural antimicrobial foods, such as honey, garlic, ginger, and echinacea. Herbs with anti-viral properties include oregano, olive leaf, sage, basil, garlic, and mint. These foods can provide supplemental support for the treatment that your doctor recommends. But since infections can become very serious in a short amount of time and spread rapidly throughout the body, it is always best to seek medical advice as early as possible at the first sign of any infection.