👉 Infections are processes where pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, invade and multiply within a host organism, leading to disease. The spread of an infection can occur through various routes, including direct contact, airborne transmission, vector-borne spread, or via contaminated food and water. Once inside the host, pathogens can cause damage by disrupting normal cellular functions, triggering immune responses, or both. The infection's reach depends on factors like the pathogen's virulence, the host's immune status, and environmental conditions. For instance, a highly contagious virus like influenza can spread rapidly through a population via respiratory droplets, while a less transmissible parasite might require specific vectors to infect its host. Effective infection control measures aim to limit these pathways to prevent or mitigate the spread of disease.
