There are some people who are always sick while others are okay. People become sick due to pathogens. ‘pathogen’ means disease, a pathogen is an agent that produces a disease. it means suffering; it is an infectious agent, or germ, that causes disease or illness to the living organ. Many of these pathogens can make us sick and some can cause death. for pathogens to be successful and cause disease they must be able to overcome certain challenges to survive. they must; (1) find a host, (2) Attach and colonise, (3) Invade and evade the host’s defenses, which causes damage to the host, and (4) be able to survive outside of the host.
The body contains many natural defenses against some of the common pathogens in the form of the human immune system and by some ‘helpful’ bacteria present in the human body’s normal flora. however, if the immune system or ‘good’ bacteria is damaged in any way (such as by chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or antibiotics being taken to kill other pathogens), pathogenic bacteria that were being held at bay can cause harm to the body. such cases are called opportunistic infections.
Groups of pathogens or germs;there are five main groups of pathogens; viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa (which include the malaria parasite) and intestinal parasites (such as flatworms and roundworms). .
Viruses: Consist of genetic materials surrounded by a protective coat of protein. they are capable of latching onto cells and getting inside them. The cells of the mucous membranes, such as those lining the respiratory passages that we breathe through, are particularly open to virus attacks because they are not covered by protective skin.
Bacteria: are organisms made up of just one cell. they are capable of multiplying by themselves, as they have the power to divide. Their shapes vary, and doctors use these characteristics to separate them into groups. Bacteria exist everywhere, inside and on our bodies. most of them are completely harmless, and some of them are very useful. But some bacteria can cause diseases, either because they end up in the wrong place in the body, or simply designed to invade us.
Fungi: Fungi are a group of organisms and micro-organisms that are classified within their own kingdom, the fungal kingdom, as they are neither plant nor animal. Fungi draw their nutrition from decaying organic matter, living plants and even animals.
Protozoa: The protozoa are one-celled animals and the smallest of all animals. most of them can only be seen under a microscope. they breathe, move, and reproduce like other animals. they live in water or at least where it is damp. they can be free-living or parasitic in nature. While protozoa can be an important source of food for animals like snails, they can also cause serious infections in humans. Protozoa can be transmitted to the body by eating contaminated food or water, person-to-person contact, or through the bite of an insect like a mosquito or fly. While many protozoan infections are more common in the tropics and subtropics, they can also affect people in temperate zones as well, a common example of protozoa is malaria and some sexually transmitted infections.
Intestinal worms: Intestinal worms are living organisms with many cells such as; tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms. Risk factors for intestinal worms include; living in or visiting an area known to have parasites , international travel, poor sanitation (for both food and water), poor hygiene, age — children are more likely to get infected and HIV or AIDS. Symptoms of parasites include; diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, gas or bloating, dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus), rash or itching around the rectum or vulva, stomach pain or tenderness, feeling tired, weight loss and passing a worm in your stool.
Nutrition in viral infection:a stomach virus inflammation of the stomach and other digestive organs, symptoms of stomach viruses include diarrhea, vomiting, pain, fever and abdominal pain. Stomach viruses may be triggered by contaminated water, food or contact with feces from an infected person. Home remedies for treating stomach viruses include preventing dehydration, eating certain foods and limiting physical activity.Drink substantial amounts of fluids, diarrhea and vomiting that may occur, patients with stomach viruses frequently run the risk of becoming dehydrated. Sucking on ice chips and drinking small sips of water helps with dehydration symptoms that originate from diarrhea and vomiting. Clear sodas and other beverages such as non-caffeinated sports drinks and chicken broth also help restore the balance of salts in the human body and prevent dehydration.Stomach virus patients should avoid eating solid food as this worsens the condition. Examples of these foods include greasy foods, dairy products, orange juice, tea, alcohol and coffee. Instead, eat bland foods such as saltine crackers, bananas, rice, gelatin and dry toast. These foods help settle the stomach and promote digestion.Limit physical activity at home. Symptoms of the stomach virus often include fatigue, dizziness and weakness. Resting helps the stomach to settle and ease symptoms that can result from sudden movement or activity. Rest as much as possible until a full recovery is made. Practice preventive measures. most infectious bacteria and viruses are transmitted by unwashed hands. Washing hands before handling food and after using the toilet is the best way to prevent stomach viruses. In addition, avoid contaminated raw meats, eggs and other foods to reduce the spread of stomach viruses. it is also recommended to thoroughly cook food to the proper temperature.
Nutrition in bacterial infections:Bacteria can cause multiple types of infections and illnesses, including many stomach and bowel problems. Preventing bacterial infections can have a great effect on your health. Wash your hands often, clean fruits and vegetables before you eat them, and make sure your food is fresh, prepared correctly, and cooked thoroughly. Fighting bacterial growth and spread come down to keeping things clean. But no matter how clean you keep yourself and your surroundings you will still have to deal with bacteria as you live in the world and not a bubble. Treatments for bacterial infections or bacterial illness may depend on what type of bacteria you have been infected with. there are both internal and external bacteria and this will affect the treatment.
Natural Cures for Bacterial infections:Some types and amounts of stomach bacteria are good for stomach and colon health. Overgrowth and bad types of bacteria can cause many illnesses. Simple and natural remedies with minimal side effects can be administered at home to treat and prevent bacterial infections, but it is important to note that these methods do not substitute for professional health care.Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, broths, and juices, can play a major role in maintaining overall health. Fluids can help flush bacteria from the body via urine. Fluids also help to improve circulation of blood in the body, thereby improving immunity and the body’s ability to fight infections. Avoid drinking apple or pear juices, caffeine and alcohol when suffering from diarrhea, which is commonly associated with bacterial gastrointestinal infections. Consumption of semi-solid foods and low-fiber foods and avoiding dairy products can also help improve bowel movements and diarrhea. Drinking at least one or two glasses of cranberry or blueberry juice per day is known to prevent colonisation of the bacteria. Drinking large amounts of water and eating a cup of pineapple can also help treat urinary tract infections.