Microorganisms can evolve quickly to antimicrobials , often becoming resistant to these agents through acquisition of genetic factors that inactivate or prevent an antimicrobial ’ s ability to assist the immune system and eradicate a pathogen .” compromised immune systems , prevent infection . These agents are critical in the treatment of infection when our preventive efforts fail .
Immunity is the immunologic and cellular responses to foreign antigens , in this example an infectious agent . This coordinated response is critical to protect the host from the foreign antigens that an individual is exposed to during their lifetime . In some cases , previous vaccination or previous infection with a pathogen results in the production of antibodies specific to that previous exposure . When re-exposed to that pathogen , memory cells are recruited that code for the production of the antibodies specific to the previously encountered pathogen . This results in the coordinated recruitment of the immune system to address and eradicate the infecting microorganism before they multiply and cause a clinically evident infection . When infected by a pathogen to which the host has no previous experience , a much more complicated immune response occurs , leading over a longer period of time to the production of antibodies as noted above .
Many individuals are more prone to infection , such as the very young , the very old , those with chronic disease , the immunocompromised , surgical patients with the interruption of their cutaneous protective barrier , and even presence in a hospital where antibiotics and severity of illness create an environment with resistant pathogens . Preventive efforts ( the front end ) become a critically important method to avoid infection , a much more effective intervention than treating an infection ( the back end ), often with resistant pathogens .
In summary , hopefully this discussion outlines the factors to be considered when discussing infections . Further , it also provides some insight into treatment versus infection and both the challenges and the value surrounding preventive interventions .
Robert Lee , BA , the CEO and founder of MD-Medical Data Quality & Safety Advisors , LLC , is the senior biologist and performance improvement consultant . MD-MDQSA is the home of The IPEX- The Infection Prevention Exchange , a digital collaboration between selected evidence-based solutions that use big data , technology , and AI to reduce risk of HAIs .
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