An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign parasite species. Infecting organisms seeks to utilize the host'sresources to multiply, usually at the expense of the host. The infecting organism, or pathogen, interferes with the normal functioning of the host and can lead to chronic wounds, gangrene, loss of an infected limb, and even death. The immune system of mammalian hosts reacts to infections with an innate response, often involving inflammation, followed by an adaptive response. Colloquially, a pathogen is usually considered a microscopic organism though the definition is broader, including macroparasites, fungi, viruses, prions, bacteria, and viroids. Asymbiosis between parasite and host, whereby the relationship is beneficial for the former but detrimental to the latter, is characterised asparasitism. The branch of medicine that focuses on infections and pathogens is infectious disease. \"When infection attacks the body,anti-infective drugs can help turn the tide of battle. Four types of anti-infective or drugs exist: antibacterial (antibiotic), antiviral, antitubercular, and antifungal.

Headlines Around the Web

Cybersecurity costs for business fall

Apr 23 - Financial Times

Articles About Infection

Make Friends with Companion Diagnostics to Bolster Your Biotech Portfolio: Stephen Brozak

By Street Wise Reports

Hitting just the right target and engineering cells to perform certain tasks will unlock the deep secrets of biology and change the entire paradigm of medicine, says WBB Securities President and Managing Partner Stephen Brozak. (9:56 pm)

MORE TOPICS: NYSE, EUROPEAN UNION, ADVERTISING, NEW YORK, MANAGEMENT, ANTIBIOTIC

Elton John
Elton John Hospitalized, Singer Cancels Upcoming Las Vegas Tour Dates [REPORT]

By IBTimes

Elton John was hospitalized on Wednesday, May 23, for a serious respiratory infection. Doctors reportedly ordered the "Tiny Dancer" singer to postpone seven days' worth of concerts, as he needs "complete rest and antibiotic treatment to prevent damage.". (3:19 pm)

MORE TOPICS: GERMANY, ANTIBIOTIC

Confirmed Rabies Case in London
Briton Contracts Rabies in South Asia

By IBTimes UK

The dog-bite victim is receiving treatment in a London hospital but officials rule out risk to the general public. (May 24)

MORE TOPICS: UNITED KINGDOM, LONDON

FDA Researchers Discover Autoimmune Mechanism for Serious Drug-Related Reactions
FDA Researchers's Discovery Throws Light to Reasons of Drug-Related Autoimmune Reactions

By IBTimes UK

FDA researchers inching towards identifying the reasons of drug-related autoimmune reactions. (May 23)

MORE TOPICS: AIDS

Brain Tapeworm
What Are Brain Tapeworms? Find Out How They Are Causing Cysts And Eating Holes In Human Brains

By IBTimes

In a recent study, researchers found that 20-foot-long tapeworms could be eating holes in your brain without you even knowing. Brain tapeworms, a parasitic infection of the nervous system, can leave their victims paralyzed, epileptic, or worse, accor... (May 22)

Aimee Copeland, a Georgia woman fighting a flesh-eating bacterial infection was in critical condition at Augusta Hospital on Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said. She may need to amputate her hands and foot, after surgeons already amputated the 24-year-o
Aimee Copeland: Georgia Woman With Flesh Eating Bacteria Disease In "Critical" Condition

By Reuters

Aimee Copeland, a Georgia woman fighting a flesh-eating bacterial infection was in critical condition at Augusta Hospital on Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said. She may need to amputate her hands and foot, after surgeons already amputated the 24-year-old's left leg at the hip. (May 21)

MORE TOPICS: FACEBOOK

Joshua Courtney, 21, aided his wife, Natalie Dunleavy, 22, in the delivery of their daughter with only the help of a midwife on the phone
Joshua Courtney and Natalie Dunleavy Deliver Baby in Bathroom in 8 Minutes

By IBTimes UK

Wakefield couple deliver their own baby in bathroom of their home in less than eight minutes in one of speediest births ever recorded. (May 16)

Steroid injection
Hepatitis C Infects 50 Women in Melbourne Clinic: Transmission, Symptoms and Risk

By IBTimes AU

Fifty women who got infected with hepatitis C while being treated at a Melbourne clinic are taking legal action through a class suit against the anesthetist and the operator of the clinic. What is Hepatitis C and how does its symptoms show?. (May 16)

MORE TOPICS: LAWYER

Amputee April Brown
Botched Butt Implants: US Woman April Brown has Limbs Amputated [VIDEO]

By IBTimes UK

April Brown almost lost her life when back-alley silicone injections in her bum gave her near-fatal infections (May 15)

MORE TOPICS: LOS ANGELES

Aimee Copeland
Necrotizing Fasciitis: Graduate Student Loses Limb due to "Perfect Storm" Situation for Common Germ

By IBTimes AU

A 24-year-old woman who fell from a homemade zip line has lost her leg and remains in critical condition after a rare flesh-eating infection fed on her wound. She will also lose her fingers in the next phase of surgery to save her life. (May 15)

MORE TOPICS: STORM

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