Name: Stages of Infection
Uploaded: 2023-12-28T10:51:28
Description: Learn by watching this video about Stages of Infection at JoVE.com

When a susceptible host acquires a pathogen, the infection typically progresses through four main stages: incubation, prodromal stage, illness, and convalescence.
These stages are of varying duration, depending on the type of pathogen.
The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms appear. Here, the pathogens grow and multiply within the body, but the infected person remains asymptomatic.
In the prodromal stage, the pathogen replicates further, and the body&#39;s immune response is activated, resulting in mild symptoms such as fatigue, and the infection may spread.
During the illness stage, the individual exhibits evident localized or systemic symptoms.
Localized symptoms affect only one body part, for example, an abscess on the leg.
Conversely, systemic symptoms affect the entire body and are commonly observed with infections such as influenza.
As the illness stage progresses, the immune system continues to fight the infection, and the symptoms should progressively improve.
However, secondary infections may occur if the primary infection has impaired the immune system.
The patient returns to regular daily functioning during convalescence, while some disorders may cause permanent impairment.

stages of infection

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to twelve days.
During the prodromal stage, the pathogen continues replicating, which activates the body&#39;s immune response, allowing mild, nonspecific symptoms to appear. This stage lasts from several hours to several days.
In the stage of illness, the infected person shows noticeable symptoms of infectious disease. The symptoms may be localized or systemic. Localized symptoms affect only one body area, for example, an abscess on the leg. Whereas systemic symptoms affect the entire body and are commonly observed with infections, systemic symptoms affect the entire body.
The type of infection specifies the illness&#39;s length and the manifestations&#39; severity. The immune system fights infections after an illness, and symptoms usually improve gradually. However, secondary infections may occur if the primary infection has compromised a person&#39;s immune system. For instance, if strep throat spreads throughout the body and infects the patient&#39;s heart valves, the heart valves may never fully recover, and heart failure may set in.
Finally, during the convalescent period, the patient regains their health, although some diseases may cause permanent damage.

Learn by watching this video about Stages of Infection at JoVE.com

Stages of Infection

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, ...