Many years ago, people used to treat infection with the help of natural remedies, which branch of medicine is now known as Ayurveda. Our body has its healing system, which requires time but does not require a huge amount of medicines. So here is the difference between the harm and its recovery process that is infection and inflammation.
Infection vs Inflammation
The main difference between the infection and the inflammation is that the infection is caused due to coming in contact with some pathogen that reacts with the tissues of the host, multiplies itself, and causes complications. On the other hand, inflammation is the healing process of the body after an infection. Infection can cause inflammation, but inflammation never causes an infection.
Infection is caused by the reaction of body tissues with any pathogen. The tissues get damaged from that reaction, and similarly, the pathogen spreads itself and multiplies on other tissues causing the complication in the host’s body. There are many types of infections, such as fungal, bacterial, or parasitic.
Inflammation is the after-effect of an infection. By this process, the body heals from the infection. Sometimes the immune system of the body becomes more active and starts to harm its tissues. This type of disorder is called an autoimmune disorder. It also leads to inflammation.
Comparison Table Between Infection and Inflammation
| Parameters of Comparison | Infection | Inflammation |
| Definition | Invasion of tissues of an organism, multiplying and reacting with host tissues by any pathogen | Process of body’s self mechanism and is a healing process from infections. |
| Causing agents | Come in contact with certain bacteria, fungi, or parasite | Injury, infection, autoimmune disorder, etc |
| Symptoms | Rashes, the problem of breathing, fever, etc. | Loss of function, swelling, heat, pain, etc. |
| Treatments | Medicines such as antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic, etc | Physical therapy, correct and control medication, change in diet and lifestyle |
| Transmission | Possible | Not possible |
What is Infection?
Infection is caused by the reaction of body tissues with any pathogen. The pathogen enters the body through contact or other modes and sets at a tissue. The tissues get damaged from that reaction, and similarly, the pathogen spreads itself and multiplies on other tissues causing the complication in the host’s body.
The infections are mainly caused by pathogens. These may be viruses, parasites, bacteria, or fungi. The fungal infection is caused by fungi, bacterial by bacteria, viral infections through viruses, etc. these have medications to treat and stop the infection from spreading in the body.
The prevention of these infections is possible by making your body prepared to fight these problems. This means to make your immunity system stringer to fight the incoming pathogens in the body. One should consume a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, etc.
The treatment of these infections needs to be done at the proper time to stop the reactions and stopping it from spreading to other parts of the body and making the situation worse. The mild infections can be treated at home. But one should consult the doctor if the conditions worsen. Infections are transmittable to other people through cough droplets or by tough. So one should be very careful about it and take necessary precautions.
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the after-effect of an infection. By this process, the body heals from the infection. Sometimes the immune system of the body becomes more active and starts to harm its tissues. This type of disorder is called an autoimmune disorder. It also leads to inflammation. The most caused disease related to inflammation caused by autoimmune disorder is rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation is one of the major symptoms of this disease.
Inflammation also occurs due to some injuries. When someone gets a crack in their bone or goes through a cartilage injury, that portion of the body gets inflamed. Inflammation leads to pain in that area. At this time, many biochemical reactions occur in that area that may lead to trigger the pain. That pain may be throbbing or steady.
Symptoms of inflammation include swelling in that area, redness, and throbbing pain, loss of function or sensation. Sometimes due to heavy pain in the injured area, the sensation of that area is lost. As for the pain, the function is also being affected. For example, if we get out, feet bone cracked we can’t walk. The inflammation is never possible to spread with contact or any other means to any other people. Inflammation may be an after-effect of infection, but inflammation never leads to an infection.
Main Differences Between Infection and Inflammation
- Infection occurs due to the invasion of tissues of an organism, multiplying and reacting with host tissues by any pathogen. Whereas inflammation is a process of the body’s self mechanism and is a healing process from infections.
- Some symptoms of infection are rashes, the problem of breathing, fever, etc., whereas inflammation leads to symptoms like loss of function, swelling, heat, pain, etc. Inflammation itself is a symptom of infection.
- The main causes for infection are when a person comes in contact with certain bacteria, fungi, or parasites. On the other hand, injury, infection, autoimmune disorder, etc. leads to inflammation
- Medicines such as antibiotics, antifungal, antiparasitic, etc., are the treatments for infection. On the other hand, physical therapy, correct and control medication change in diet and lifestyle can help in soothing inflammations.
- Transmission of infection from one person to the other is possible, but inflammation is not possible to be transmitted.
Conclusion
Infection and inflammation are medical conditions of a person. The infection occurs due to pathogens that enter the body of an organism. Reacts with its tissues and causes complexions to the host’s health. Inflammation is a condition when the body heals to the damage caused.
Inflammation is a symptom of infection. When an infection occurs, inflammation may follow. But because of inflammation, infection never follows. Mild infections are safe to be taken home remedies. But for major inflammations, quick doctor’s advice should be taken as they can lead to life-threatening conditions. Every infection is very important to be taken care of from the mils conditions as they are very sensitive and can cause long time damages.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1473309902004371
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4377/fb5b0375b2c1ec2f53e70f07e69d9eaba208.pdf