An infection involving the whole body is: Group of answer choices
A. A local infection
B. A systemic infection
C. A contagious disease
D. Normal flora
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. A systemic infection.
A systemic infection is an infection that affects the entire body rather than a single organ or part. It occurs when pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system and spread throughout the body. This widespread distribution can cause symptoms affecting multiple organs and systems, leading to serious health complications.
In contrast, a local infection (choice A) is limited to a specific area of the body, such as a wound or localized abscess. Symptoms of a local infection are generally confined to the infected site and include redness, swelling, pain, and heat. The infection does not spread beyond that area.
A contagious disease (choice C) refers to an illness that can be easily transmitted from one person to another, usually through direct contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated surfaces. Contagious diseases can be either local or systemic, but the term describes the method of transmission rather than the infection’s scope within the body.
Normal flora (choice D) refers to the harmless or beneficial microorganisms that naturally reside on and inside the human body, such as on the skin, in the gut, or in the respiratory tract. These microbes typically do not cause disease under normal conditions and can protect the host by competing with harmful pathogens.
Systemic infections are serious because they involve the body’s internal systems and can lead to conditions such as sepsis, which is a life-threatening response to infection that can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and death if not promptly treated. Examples of systemic infections include influenza, HIV/AIDS, and bacterial septicemia. Treatment often requires systemic administration of antibiotics or antiviral drugs, and close medical monitoring.
In summary, a systemic infection affects the whole body, distinguishing it clearly from local infections, contagious diseases (transmission-based), and normal flora (non-harmful microorganisms).