👉 Infection is a process where a pathogen, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, enters and takes control of a host organism, leading to disease. This occurs when the pathogen breaches the body's natural barriers, like the skin or mucous membranes, and begins to multiply within the host's cells or tissues. The immune system initially tries to combat the invader, but if the pathogen is highly virulent or the host's defenses are weakened, infection can progress, causing symptoms ranging from mild irritation to severe illness. Understanding infection is crucial for developing treatments and preventive measures, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections and antiviral medications for viral ones, to help manage and mitigate the impact of these diseases.
