👉 The process of infection begins when a pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, enters the body through various routes like ingestion, inhalation, or direct contact. This entry allows the pathogen to invade host cells or tissues. Once inside, the pathogen replicates, often evading or suppressing the host's immune defenses. The interaction between the pathogen and the host can lead to infection, where the pathogen establishes itself and begins to cause disease. Symptoms may develop as the body's immune response mounts to combat the invader, but in some cases, the infection can persist or progress despite these efforts, leading to more severe health issues.
