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You should be aware of the different agents that can spread infection. This can help you manage your risk factors.  Bacteria are the most common infectious agents. They can be transmitted via bodily fluids and food. They are single cell living microorganisms that use your body as a home base to replicate. Viruses are pathogens that cannot live outside the host. When a virus enters your body, they hijack your body’s cells to multiply and spread to neighboring cells. Fungi are simple, plant-like living organisms that may take up residence in your body. Parasites are living organisms that hijack the host’s body and use their resources to thrive. Antibiotics are medications that fight off bacterial infections. They work by disabling or killing bacterial cells and thus, fastening the elimination of bacteria by your immune system.  Use topical antibiotic ointments for small wounds that are infected. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth and pain. Do not use antibiotic ointment for heavily bleeding wounds that are deep. Seek medical attention if you have a wound that does not stop bleeding. For systemic bacterial infections, visit your healthcare provider and ask if you should be taking oral antibiotics. It is important to understand that antibiotics cannot cure or treat viral infections, such as the cold or flu. Your doctor can diagnose bacterial versus viral infection and treat it appropriately. Take antibiotics only as directed. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them (such as when you have a viral infection) increases bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics but there are some antiviral medications that can be used for certain viruses. Some viral infections are treated with at home remedies (such as rest and remaining hydrated).  Some drugs, known as antiviral or antiretroviral drugs, can fight off certain viruses by taking away their ability to reproduce their DNA inside your cells. Some viral infections, such as the common cold, only need to have their symptoms treated to make you more comfortable. Your immune system can fight off the virus as long as you are not immunocompromised and get enough rest and nutrients. Many viral illnesses can be prevented with vaccinations. Thus, you should keep your immunizations up to date. Some fungal infections can be treated with medications that help eliminate the fungi and clear the infection. However, there are numerous pathogenic fungi that cause infections and only your doctor can diagnose and prescribe proper treatments.  Some fungal infections may be treated with a topical ointment if the infected site is on your skin (such as foot fungus). Very serious and threatening fungal infections are treated with oral medications or injections. Some examples of pathogenic fungi include histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis, and these infections can be deadly. As the name implies, parasites are organisms that "hijack" your body’s resources in order to live, grow and multiply inside you. Parasites refers to a wide array of pathogenic agents from worms to microscopic cells.  Many parasites can be transferred into your body via contaminated food or water (such as hookworm), while others enter via broken/compromised skin (such as malaria via mosquito bite). You should never drink unfiltered or non-purified water from natural sources as the water may contain parasites. Some parasitic infections can be treated with oral or injected medications. Your doctor can diagnose a parasitic infection based on your symptoms and specific tests and then treat it appropriately.

Summary:
Understand different kinds of infectious diseases. Treat bacterial infections with antibiotics. Treat viral infections. Know how to treat fungal infections. Know how to treat parasitic infections.