|
Infection Information
is the result of invasion of the body by microorganisms, including bacteria,
viruses, or fungi.
Not all microorganisms cause infections in the body, and exposure to a disease-causing
microorganism does not always result in symptoms. The immune system plays a large role in
determining the body’s ability to fight off infection.
Some examples of infection are common cold/sore
throat, influenza, cough,
recurrent ear infections, urinary tract
infection, yeast infection, athlete’s foot, cold sores, HIV,
shingles, and parasites.
What are the symptoms of infection?
Symptoms of infection include localized warmth, redness, swelling, discharge, foul-smelling
odor, and pain to the touch. In more serious
cases, symptoms may also include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Medical treatments for infection
Over the counter agents available to treat minor bacterial skin infections include
benzalkonium chloride (Zephiran®), neosporin (Myciguent®), bacitracin
(Baciguent®), and combination antibiotic formulas (Neosporin®, Polysporin®).
Fungal skin infections may be treated with clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF®), miconazole
(Micatin®), and terbinafine
(Lamisil®). Drugs used to treat vaginal yeast infections include clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin®, Mycelex®),
miconazole (Monistat®), and butoconazole (Femstat 3®). Individuals with infections
that do not respond to over the counter medications should seek medical advice.
Prescription strength topical, oral, and intravenous antibiotic medicines are reserved for more serious
bacterial infections; these include
cephalosporins, such as cephalexin (Keflex®), cefaclor (Ceclor®), and cefazolin
(Ancef®); lincosamides, such as lincomycin (Lincocin®) and clindamycin (Cleocin®); macrolides, such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab®), clarithromycin (Biaxin®), and azithromycin (Zithromax®); penicillins, such as penicillin VK (Veetids®), amoxicillin (Amoxil®), and dicloxacillin (Dynapen®); and sulfonamides, such as sulfasoxazole (Gantrisin
Pediatric®) and sulfamethoxazole
(Gantanol®, Septra®, Bactrim®).
Antiviral drugs are available to treat infections caused by herpes simplex and human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Numerous drugs are available to treat topical and systemic
infections caused by fungus and yeast.
Surgical treatment is recommended in some cases to remove diseased tissue, prevent the
spread of infection, or drain pus from an infected area.
Dietary changes that may be helpful for infection
Nutrition is a major contributor to the functioning of the immune system, which in turn
influences whether or not the body is resistant to infection. Specifically, it makes sense to
restrict sugar, because sugar interferes with
the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria.1 Alcohol also interferes with
a wide variety of immune defenses,2 and excessive dietary fat reduces natural killer cell activity.3
However, there is no research investigating whether reducing sugar, alcohol, or fat intake
decreases the risk of infection or improves healing.
Allergy, including food allergy, has been
suggested to predispose people to recurrent infection,4 and many doctors consider
allergy treatment for people with recurrent infections. The links between allergy and ear infections,5 6 urinary tract infections in children,7 and
yeast vaginitis in women8
9 have been documented.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful for infection
Stress can depress the immune system, thus
increasing the body’s susceptibility to infection. Coping effectively with stress is
important.10 Exercise increases natural killer cell activity, which may also help
prevent infections.11
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful for infection
Nutrients useful for maintaining healthy immune function are also applicable for preventing
infections. Vitamin A plays an important role
in immune system function and helps mucous membranes, including those in the lungs, resist
invasion by microorganisms.12 However, most research shows that while vitamin A
supplementation helps people prevent or treat infections in developing countries where
deficiencies are common,13 little to no positive effect, and even slight
adverse effects, have resulted from giving vitamin A supplements to people in countries
where most people consume adequate amounts of vitamin A.14 15
16 17 18 19 20 Moreover, vitamin A
supplementation during infections appears beneficial only in certain diseases. An analysis of
trials revealed that vitamin A reduces mortality from measles and diarrhea, but not from pneumonia, in children living
in developing countries.21 A double-blind trial for vitamin A supplementation in
Tanzanian children with pneumonia confirmed its lack of effectiveness for this
condition.22 In general, parents in the developed world should not give
vitamin A supplements to children unless there is a reason to believe vitamin A deficiency is
likely, such as the presence of a condition causing malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease). However, the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends that all children with measles should be given high-dose vitamin A for
several days.
Vitamin C has antiviral activity, and may
help prevent viral infections23 or, in the case of the common cold, reduce the severity and duration of an
infection.24 Most studies on the common cold used 1 to 4 grams of vitamin C per
day.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (the
friendly bacteria found in yogurt) produces
acids that kill invading bacteria.25 The effective amount of acidophilus depends on
the strain used, as well as the concentration of viable organisms. These and other friendly
bacteria known as probiotics inhibit the
growth of potentially infectious organisms (pathogens) by producing acids, hydrogen peroxide,
and natural antibiotics called bacteriocins
and microcins, by utilizing nutrients needed by pathogens, by occupying attachment sites on
the gut wall that would otherwise be available to pathogens, and by stimulating immune attacks
on pathogens. s that have been successfully prevented or treated with friendly
bacteria include infectious diarrhea, vaginitis, and urinary tract infections.26
Marginal deficiencies of zinc result in
impairments of immune function.27
Supplementation with 50 mg of zinc three times per day for 30 days has been shown to increase
immune function in healthy people.28 However, such large amounts of zinc can
potentially cause adverse effects. Some doctors recommend lower amounts of supplemental zinc
for
Herbs that may be helpful for infection
The main herbs for infection can be broken down into three basic categories: those that
support a person’s immune system in the
fight against microbes, those that directly attack microbes, and those that do both. These
categories are summarized in the table below. Note that this table does not include herbs that
are largely used for parasitic infections of
the intestines.
| Mechanism of Action |
Examples |
| Immune supportive |
American ginseng, andrographis, Asian ginseng, astragalus, coriolus, eleuthero, ligustrum, maitake,
picrorhiza, reishi, schisandra, shiitake |
| Antimicrobial |
Chaparral, eucalyptus, garlic,
green tea, lemon balm (antiviral), lomatium, myrrh,
olive leaf, onion, oregano,
pau d’arco (antifungal), rosemary,
sage, sandalwood, St. John’s wort, tea tree oil, thyme,
usnea |
| Both immune supportive and antimicrobial |
Barberry, echinacea, elderberry, goldenseal, licorice,
Oregon grape, osha, wild indigo |
Are there any side effects or interactions with Infection?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yeast - Cleanse™ by Solaray
"I think I've had a yeast infection for 3 years now. RX medications didn't work. Yeast arrest worked but pantyliners can be a drag. But th..." |
|
|
SHOP For Infection By Category
Like eVitamins? Become A Fan Today!
Copyright © 2004 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.healthnotes.com
Learn more
about Healthnotes, the company.
Learn more
about the authors of Healthnotes.
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in
vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article.
The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of
the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter
medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or
pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before
making any changes in prescribed medications.
References:
Click
here to view references
|
|
Cart: 0 items 
Checkout
