Infection and inflammation
Created: 03.08.2023
Updated: 29.12.2023
Approved by: General Practitioner, Dr Binita Parmar
Infections are caused by tiny organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, leading to conditions like influenza, sore throat, and ear infections. We are equipped to diagnose and treat these infections to help you recover. Additionally, we provide care for inflammatory conditions such as tendonitis.
Infection
Infection occurs when harmful microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, enter our body through various routes like the mouth, nose, or breaks in the skin and start to multiply. The body is full of good bacteria that help us fight the disease-causing microorganisms, so it is the latter that can cause infection. When the immune system detects the microbes, they trigger an immune response that normally gives us the classic symptoms of infection. So it is not the virus or the bacterium that gives us signs of disease, but our own immune system. In the event of an infection, the body triggers an inflammatory reaction, which you can read more about below.
Inflammation
An inflammatory process or response occurs when the immune system recognises the need to repair a damaged or infected area in the body. This inflammatory response can be caused by various factors such as infection, hypersensitivity as in allergies, or acute injury to the body like sprains.
Why do swelling and pain occur during inflammation?
The body's immune defence initiates multiple processes to combat viruses and bacteria or repair damaged tissue. To facilitate this, the body increases the diameter of blood vessels in a specific area. This allows fluid and immune cells to seep out from the bloodstream and into the tissue for repair. As a consequence, swelling occurs. Pain arises from pain receptors reacting to substances released by the immune system.
Symptoms of infection and inflammation
Local signs
- swelling
- redness
- impaired function
- heat
- pain
- pus
Additional signs
- rash
- swollen lymph nodes
- increased CRP (an inflammatory marker in the blood)
- fever
- increased white blood cell count (which can be a sign of infection)
Blood samples such as CRP and white blood cells can be taken by a doctor.
How can Dr.Dropin help?
If you suspect that you have an infection or inflammation caused by an illness and want to have it examined by a doctor, you can book a doctor's appointment with us.
The doctor will examine you, take various samples if necessary and give you advice or a prescription for treatment.
