Infection and inflammation

Infections and Inflammation - What is the difference and what are the symptoms?

Dr.Dropin can help you with a wide range of medical issues - the same issues a GP or emergency room can help you with.

Read more about infections and inflammation below.

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What is an infection?

✔️ We can see an infection when disease-causing microorganisms enter our body via, for example, the mouth, nose, or wounds and begin to multiply.

✔️ The body is full of good bacteria that help us fight the disease-causing microorganisms, so it is the latter that can cause infection.

✔️ When the immune system detects the microbes, they trigger an immune response that normally gives us the classic symptoms of infection.

✔️ So it is not the virus or the bacterium that gives us signs of disease, but our own immune system.

✔️ In the event of an infection, the body triggers an inflammatory reaction, which you can read more about below.

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What is inflammation?

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is the same as "betennelse" in Norwegian. An inflammatory process or response occurs when the immune system recognizes the need to repair a damaged or infected area in the body. This inflammatory response can be caused by various factors such as infection, hypersensitivity as in allergies, or acute injury to the body like sprains.

Why do swelling and pain occur during inflammation?

The body's immune defense initiates multiple processes to combat viruses and bacteria or repair damaged tissue. To facilitate this, the body increases the diameter of blood vessels in a specific area. This allows fluid and immune cells to seep out from the bloodstream and into the tissue for repair. As a consequence, swelling occurs. Pain arises from pain receptors reacting to substances released by the immune system.

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Symptoms and signs of infection and inflammation

Local signs of inflammation and inflammation

  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Impaired function
  • Heat
  • Pain
  • Pus

Otherwise one can also find for example

  • Rash
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Increased CRP
  • Fever
  • Increased white blood cell count

The general practitioners in our clinics have the same equipment to take tests and carry out examinations as at the GP

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What is pneumonia and what causes it?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, usually by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

What is the difference between bacterial and viral pneumonia?

Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacterial infections, while viral pneumonia is caused by viral infections.

What are the most common symptoms of pneumonia?

Common symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Pneumonia can be diagnosed by physical examination, blood test, nose swab test and possibly X-ray of the lungs.

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, cough medicine, and rest.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Yes, pneumonia can be contagious, especially in cases caused by bacteria or viruses.

What are the risk factors for developing pneumonia?

Risk factors include age (young children and the elderly), weakened immune systems, smoking, chronic lung disease, and exposure to certain drugs or chemicals.

How can I prevent pneumonia?

Prevention includes vaccination, good hand hygiene, avoiding smoking and exposure to infection, and maintaining a strong immune system.

What is the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis?

Pneumonia involves an infection of the lungs, while bronchitis involves an inflammation of the bronchi.

Can children get pneumonia?

Yes, pneumonia can affect people of all ages, including children.

What are the complications associated with pneumonia?

Complications can include breathing problems, lung abscess, sepsis and in severe cases, death.

How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?

Recovery time varies, but it can take several weeks to fully recover from pneumonia.

How does smoking affect the risk of developing pneumonia?

Smoking weakens the lungs and increases the risk of developing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

Are there any special precautions I should take if I have pneumonia?

Ja, det inkluderer å ta medisiner som foreskrevet, hvile, drikke mye væske, og oppsøke lege hvis tilstanden forverres.

Is there a vaccine against pneumonia?

Yes, there is a vaccine against the H. influenza bacteria. The vaccine is part of the childhood vaccination programme. There is also a vaccine against the lung bacteria pneumococcus, but as most people tolerate an infection with this bacterium well, the vaccine is reserved for those with a weakened immune system and those over 65.

What can I do to avoid a pneumonia?

It is important to practice good hand hygiene to avoid getting infected, as well as to avoid touching your face. Other measures are not to smoke, as this increases the risk of infection and increases the risk of a more complicated and serious course of the disease.

Is pneumonia dangerous?

In the vast majority of people, pneumonia goes very well, but if you are e.g. If you already have lung disease, you are more susceptible to serious illness. If you become very ill from pneumonia, you are admitted to hospital for treatment, and in Norway we have good forecasts for hospital treatment.

Do you become immune to pneumonia?

One does not become immune to pneumonia in itself. But if you have had pneumonia caused by a virus, you become immune to this virus. But as there are different microorganisms that can cause pneumonia, you can still get pneumonia repeatedly.