Inflammations and infections are generally known to occur together or cause the same visible symptoms, but there are clear differences between them. Keep reading to find out how to detect and differentiate inflammations and infections.
Table Summary
| Inflammation | Infection |
| It is a natural physiological process | It is a disruption of natural physiological processes |
| Caused by white blood cells | Caused by pathogens |
| It has four distinct symptoms: heat, pain, redness, and swelling | Symptoms vary widely depending on the nature of the pathogen |
| It does not lead to infection | Infections may cause inflammation or even other types of infections. |
| Symptoms are noticeable during or immediately after trauma takes place | It might lay dormant for long periods without symptoms |
| It is not typically treated as an emergency | Some infections can be life-threatening |
Definitions
Inflammation is a physical manifestation of the body’s efforts to expel harmful pathogens, other microbes, or even physical trauma. It is a natural response to body-system trauma and is considered a marker for good health unless poorly regulated. Inflammation can be acute – lasting for a short period, or chronic –stretching for a long duration, lasting several weeks and above. Symptoms of inflammation differ but are more commonly associated with pain, localized warmth, swelling, redness, or loss of function.
Infection involves the aftermath of the body’s invasion by pathogens. Pathogens that lead to infections are classified under three categories: viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Infections can also be either acute- where they develop suddenly and tend to leave in a short amount of time or chronic- where the acute infection develops slowly and is influenced by genes, lifestyle choices, and behaviors like diet, mobility, and genes.
Inflammation VS Infection
Inflammations affect tissues and are a normal reaction to physiological or mechanical trauma. Infections are, however, not a physiological process. Infections can show symptoms that may include inflammation, but inflammation does not cause Infections.