First of all. What is an infection and infectious disease?
Germs are small living organisms (animals). They are a part of everyday life and are found in our air, soil, water, and in and on our bodies. Some germs are helpful, others are harmful.
An infection occurs when germs enter the body, and increase in number. An infectious disease is when an infection causes a reaction in the body that makes you unwell.
Many germs live in and on our bodies without causing harm. And some even help us to stay healthy. A small portion of germs are known to cause infection.
So. What are the 4 different types?
These are the 4 main types of organism (with examples) that cause infection in humans:
Bacteria – such as Clostridioides difficile (‘C. diff’), Escherichia coli (‘E Coli’), and Streptococcus pyogenes (‘Strep A’) (‘Strep throat’)
Viruses – such as Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (or SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV; cold sores)
Parasites – such as Plasmodium Malariae (malaria) and head lice
Fungi – such as Candida albicans (vaginal thrush) and Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s foot), Tinea corporis (Ringworm, not a worm).
Note. Only bacterial infections respond to antibiotics. They have no effect on the other three types of infection.
MyHSN has more information on infections, bacteria, viruses, and antibiotic do’s and don’ts.