Various infections can occur in the human body. Pathogenic organisms invade, multiply and worsen human well-being. Infections can be transmitted by airborne droplets, with open wounds and in other ways.
The concept of endogenous infection
With a weakened immune system, a person is at risk of various diseases. Endogenous infection is an infection that lives in the person himself and begins to develop with a decrease in body resistance.
The source of infection can be untreated teeth, tonsils or skin diseases. Endogenous infection is transmitted in the following ways:
- blood flow;
- along with lymphatic current;
- contact.
Sometimes the endogenous route of infection can be non-standard: for example, when sneezing, bacteria enter an open wound. Infection occurs with those bacteria that lived in a person - in other organs and tissues. This form is called auto-infection.
An endogenous infection is not only one that manifests itself as a result of a decrease in immunity. It can occur as a concomitant disease with various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Having become perforated, a stomach ulcer infects other abdominal organs with bacteria, which causes foci of inflammation.
Irritable bowel syndrome can cause a bacterial disease and lead to serious consequences.
A feature of endogenous infection is the absence of an incubation period.
Autoinfection
Autoinfection is part of endogenous infection. The patient becomes infected himself, bringing bacteria from one part of the body to another. Autoinfection is divided into 2 types:
- Focal - microorganisms accumulate in one part and do not spread beyond the focus. As an example, consider furunculosis or tonsillitis. In the first case, the pathogenic flora is concentrated in the hair bulb, in the second - on the surface of the tonsils.
- Generalized - the spread of microorganisms occurs through the bloodstream or lymph and can reach any part of the body. The cause of the occurrence is considered to be a decrease in immunity, prolonged use of antibiotics.
The endogenous route of infection is different. If the infection spreads through the blood, then it is called bacteremia or viremia, depending on who is the causative agent of the disease. In this case, microorganisms do not multiply in the blood, but choose those organs and tissues of the person where you can stop and increase your number. If the pathogenic flora multiplies in the blood, then the most serious disease begins, the name of which is blood sepsis.
Exogenous infection
An exogenous infection occurs as a result of external microorganisms entering the body. Each pathogen enters the body in its own way: through the mouth, genitourinary system, mucous membranes, etc.
The mechanisms of transmission of exogenous infection can be as follows:
- transmission occurs through dirty hands and contaminated food (dysentery);
- airborne droplets (measles);
- transmissible transmission mechanism (typhus);
- contact transmission route (syphilis);
- the vertical path is from mother to child.
The pathogen settles in the tissues or circulates throughout the body, multiplies and releases toxic substances. In this case, the protective forces of a person increase and a suppression of the virus or bacteria occurs. If a person is a carrier of the pathogen, then there may not be any clinical manifestations. In some diseases, symptoms may appear after some time. Exogenous and endogenous infections should be treated under medical supervision.
Prevention during planned surgery
In surgery, particular importance is given to the prevention of the spread of pathogenic flora during operations. The operation can only be performed in a healthy condition and in the absence of inflammatory processes. To exclude possible foci of inflammation, a test is necessary.
Endogenous infection carries a serious risk of developing postoperative complications, therefore, in the preoperative period, patients undergo the following studies:
- general blood analysis;
- blood chemistry;
- general urine analysis;
- fluorography;
- tests for HIV, for hepatitis B;
- tests for syphilis;
- electrocardiogram;
- dentist checkup;
- gynecologist checkup (for women).
If, according to the results of the examination, an inflammatory process is revealed, then the operation is postponed until the cause is eliminated. During the SARS epidemic, it is necessary to create conditions that reduce the risk of morbidity.
Prevention before an emergency operation
In an emergency, the issue of the endogenous pathway of infection into the wound recedes into the background. It is necessary to save the life of the patient. Examination in such a short period of time is impossible, but surgeons pay attention to preventing the spread of pathogenic microflora in the postoperative period. For these purposes, antibiotics and other drugs are used.
Endogenous infection treatment
Endogenous infection is an infection for which prevention is the most effective way to fight. It is important to observe hygiene rules, treat open wounds with an antiseptic. When performing operations, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of microorganisms entering the cavity. If you suspect the presence of inflammation in the body, you must consult a doctor in a timely manner.
To treat infection, a course of drugs is prescribed aimed at strengthening the immune system. With strong immunity, the infection will not develop.
To prevent inflammation in the postoperative period, antibiotic therapy is carried out, strains are identified and the underlying disease is treated, and the foci of inflammation are affected.
An untreated endogenous infection in time is a risk of chronic diseases that can occur after a long period of time. An actively developing infection can develop serious complications in the body and lead to surgery, blood transfusion, or even death. What method to treat endogenous infection must be decided by a qualified specialist.