Different pathogens cause different symptoms in the organs they affect. In addition, however, there are complaints that often occur with infections – classic signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, fever and pain signal the affected person: Something is wrong here, the immune system is working at full speed. In sepsis, these signs are not limited to one region of the body, but affect the entire body.
Examination Methods
To diagnose an infectious disease, there are several examination methods:
- Anamnesis (inquire about medical history): all complaints can be further narrowed down by asking specific questions. Thus, contact with sick family members can show a path of infection and a few days ago foreign travel makes you think of exotic pathogens.
- Inspection (viewing) and taking a temperature: With purulent coatings on a wound, you immediately think of bacteria and classic signs of inflammation in the eye or ear quickly direct the suspicion to an infection – as well as an elevated temperature.
- Examination of body fluids: Inflammatory cells, pathogens and their metabolites can be detected in the various body fluids – whether blood, cerebrospinal fluid or a stool sample, pathogens can be identified. A swab is taken from open wounds and breath tests indicate the infestation of the stomach with bacteria.
- X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging: with the imaging methods you can see the swelling of inflamed organs or a fused focus of inflammation (abscess).
