Immune System Overview (PTU)

Immune System

- Defends the body from getting sick.

- Helps heal the body when there's injury.

- Helps protect the body from foreign invaders (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Parasites)

Lymph Nodes

"Filters" that remove germs from body fluids

White Blood Cells

Help fight off pathogens and other foreign invaders.

Medications

- Antibiotics

- Antifungals

- Antivirals

- Antiparasitic

- Treat infections

Vaccines

Act to prevent infections.

[Bacterial Infection] Ear infection

When bacteria infect and trap fluid behind the eardrum.

- Cause pain and swelling of the eardrum

* Treated with Antibiotics

[Bacterial Infection] Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial infection of the lungs

- Cause inflammation and sometimes fluid buildup.

* Treated with Antibiotics

[Bacterial Infection] Sepsis

An overwhelming and life-threatening response to a serious infection in the body.

- May lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

* Treated with Antibiotics

[Bacterial Infection] UTI

Bacterial infection of any part of the urinary system (kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra)

- Causes pain while urinating, urge to urinate, and sometimes back pain.

* Treated with Antibiotics

[Viral Infections] Influenza / Flu

Viral infection that attacks the lungs, nose, and throat

- Causes fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, and fatigue.

* Treated with Antivirals

[Viral Infections] Common Cold

Viral infection of the nose and throat

- Causes runny nose, sneezing, and congestion.

* Treated with Antivirals

[Viral Infections] COVID-19

Viral infection that attacks the respiratory system

- Causes fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, and other symptoms.

* Treated with Antivirals

[Viral Infections] HIV / AIDS

Viral infection that interferes with the body's ability to fight infections.

* Treated with Antivirals

[Fungal] Athlete's Foot

A fungal infection that usually begins between the toes

- Causes itching and burning sensations.

* Treated with Antifungals

[Fungal] Ringworm

A contagious fungal infection of the skin or scalp

- Causes a red, scaly, itchy, ring-shaped rash.

* Treated with Antifungals

[Fungal] Vaginal Yeast Infection

A fungal (yeast) infection of the vagina

- Causes inflammation, intense itchiness, and white discharge.

* Treated with Antifungals

[Fungal] Fungal Meningitis

A serious, often life-threatening, fungal infection of the brain and spinal cord

- Causes fever, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, and mental confusion.

* Treated with Antifungals

[Parasitic Infection] Pinworms

Small, thin, white roundworms that can live in the colon and rectum. While an infected person sleeps, the female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and lay eggs on nearby skin.

* Treated with Antiparasitic

[Parasitic Infection] Malaria

Mosquito-transmitted parasites that invade red blood cells

- Causes fever, vomiting, tiredness, and other symptoms.

* Treated with Antiparasitic

[Parasitic Infection] Scabies

Small parasites (called mites) that burrow under the skin

- Causes a strong urge to scratch.

* Treated with Antiparasitic