Inflammation and Infection Overview

Inflammation and Infection Overview

• Inflammation is a protective response to injury or irritants.
• Infection is a microorganism invasion causing tissue damage.
• Inflammation often precedes or accompanies infection.
• Inflammation, marked by "itis" suffix, can escalate to infection.

Signs of Inflammation

• Redness
• Heat
• Swelling
• Pain

Inflammatory Mediators

• Histamine, prostaglandins, and kinins are key mediators.
• These substances dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow (redness & heat).
• They aid white blood cell movement.
• They cause swelling (edema) and pain.

Types of Inflammation

• Inflammation can be local (confined) or systemic (body-wide).
• Inflammation can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
• Long-term inflammation can damage tissues and lead to disease.

This quiz provides an insightful overview of inflammation and infection, covering key concepts such as the protective nature of inflammation and its relationship with infections. Learn about the signs, mediators, and types of inflammation, and test your knowledge on this essential topic in health and biology.