Infections

There are different types of infections that are often grouped depending on where the infection is located in your body. The most common infections are:
 
Skin
Your skin helps to protect you, but often takes a hit in its role, which results in skin infections. The most common skin infections are:

• Viral – shingles, herpes simplex, and warts
• Fungal – athlete’s foot and yeast infections
• Parasitic – body lice, head lice, and scabies
• Bacterial – cellulitis, impetigo, and staphylococcal infections

Ear
An ear infection is the most common cause of earaches. It can affect both adults and children, but children are more vulnerable. Infections that develop in the sinus cavities can infect the ear through the eustachian tube, the tube that connects your ear to your upper respiratory tract.

While they vary depending on the type of infection, common symptoms include:

• • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea or vomiting
  • Pain
  • Skin redness
  • Inflammation or swelling

Some symptoms are a result of your immune system fighting to get rid of the infection.

It can be difficult to determine what caused an infection, but a workup that includes a physical exam, diagnostic testing such as blood work, and a medical history usually yields a diagnosis.
 
How the infection is treated depends on the type of infection and its severity. Viral infections, such as influenza and HIV, can be treated or better managed with antiviral medications.
 
Antibiotics are often prescribed to fight bacterial infections, typically over the course of a few days to a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, some bacteria have developed a resistance to antibiotics and other treatments are necessary.