Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeneral SymptomsRespiratoryUrinaryBrain and Spinal CordBloodLiverGastrointestinalEarsEyesVaginalSTIsSkin
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
General Symptoms
Respiratory
Urinary
Brain and Spinal Cord
Blood
Liver
Gastrointestinal
Ears
Eyes
Vaginal
STIs
Skin
Infections can be classified in a number of different ways. They may be localized (affecting a specific part of the body) or systemic (affecting the body as a whole).
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
There are alsoprimary infectionsin which healthy host tissues are invaded andsecondary infectionsthat arise as a complication of another disease or condition. This article discusses general symptoms of infections and symptoms when different parts of the body have an infection.
Classifying Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of an infection can also vary. Some are generalized and nonspecific, like fever, fatigue, and chills. Others are specific to the body part, such as a rash, coughing, or swelling of a joint.
When diagnosing an infection, doctors will want to hone in on the part of the body in which the infection was established. By recognizing the characteristic signs and symptoms, they can order tests and procedures to diagnose the cause and prescribe the correct treatment definitively.
These includeantibioticsfor bacterial infections,antiviralsfor viral infections, antifungals for fungal infections, and antiparasitics for parasitic diseases.
During an infection, people often experience nonspecific, generalized symptoms as a result of the underlying inflammatory response. The signs and severity can differ based on the affected organ system but may include:
Acute vs. Chronic
Respiratory Tract
The respiratory tract is the passage through which air passes from the mouth and nose to the lungs. An infection can develop in the upper respiratory tract (involving the sinuses, nasal passages,pharynx, andlarynx) or the lower respiratory tract (involving thetracheaand thebronchi,bronchioles, andalveoliof the lungs).
Upper Respiratory Tract
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) include thecommon cold,influenza(the flu),laryngitis(infection of the voice box),pharyngitis(sore throat),tonsillitis(infection of the tonsils), andsinusitis(sinus infection).
Symptoms can vary based on the part of the tract affected but often include:
Fever, headaches, and malaise are also common.
Lower Respiratory Tract
A lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is often used as a synonym forpneumoniabut can apply to any infection in the trachea or lungs, includingacute bronchitisandbronchiolitis.These infections can be bacterial, fungal, or viral, including influenza,tuberculosis, andCOVID-19.
Symptoms of an LRTI may include:
Severe LRTIs can causecyanosis, a condition in which the lips and skin can turn a bluish color due to the lack of blood oxygen.
Urinary Tract
The urinary tract is the system through which urine is excreted from the body and includes twokidneys, twoureters, abladder, and aurethra. Aurinary tract infection (UTI)affects any part of this system, includingurethritis(infection of the urethra),cystitis(bladder infection), oracute pyelonephritis(kidney infection).
Symptoms of a UTI can differ based on the location of the infection but may include:
Severe UTIs may cause fever with chills as well as nausea and vomiting.
Thecentral nervous system (CNS)is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. Infections of the CNS typically involve the brain (encephalitis) or the protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Causes
Bloodstream infections are most commonly associated with bacteria (bacteremia). They often develop as a secondary infection to pneumonia, meningitis, orcellulitis, or when bacteria enter the bloodstream during surgery or intravenous drug use.
Septicemiais the term used to describe a serious blood infection.Sepsisoccurs when the response to the infection causes organ damage.
Symptoms of a blood infection may include:
Septic ShockIf not treated immediately and aggressively, sepsis can lead toseptic shockin which an extreme drop in blood pressure can cause organ failure and even death.
Septic Shock
If not treated immediately and aggressively, sepsis can lead toseptic shockin which an extreme drop in blood pressure can cause organ failure and even death.
Chronic hepatitis infection can lead tocirrhosis,liver failure, andliver cancer.
Gastrointestinal Tract
The gastrointestinal tract is the passage through which food enters the body and exits asstool. It includes the mouth,esophagus, stomach,small intestine,large intestine (colon), and anus.
Common causes of infectious gastroenteritis include bacteria likeEscherichia coliandSalmonella,viruses likerotavirusandnorovirus, and parasites likeGiardia lambliaandCryptosporidium.
Symptoms of a gastrointestinal tract infection may include:
DehydrationDehydrationis a common complication of diarrhea in people with severe gastroenteritis, sometimes requiring emergency medical care with intravenous fluids.
Dehydration
Dehydrationis a common complication of diarrhea in people with severe gastroenteritis, sometimes requiring emergency medical care with intravenous fluids.
Some bacteria and parasites are also known to causeinfectious dysentery, a severe infection of the intestines causing vomiting and bloody stools.
Symptoms of an ear infection may include:
Symptoms are generally more severe the deeper the infection is within the ear. Some severe inner ear infections can causenystagmus(uncontrollable eye movements), crippling vertigo, and even permanent hearing loss.
Eye infections are frequently associated with viruses likeadenovirusand herpes simplex virus. Bacterial causes includeStaphylococcus aureusandStreptococcus pneumonaieas well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) likegonorrheaandchlamydia.
An eye infection often involves only one eye but can easily spread to both. Symptoms may include:
ComplicationsBacterial infections, particularly those affecting thecorneaor inner eye, are especially worrisome because they can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated appropriately.
Complications
Bacterial infections, particularly those affecting thecorneaor inner eye, are especially worrisome because they can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated appropriately.
Vaginal infections typically involve the overgrowth of fungus or bacteria that commonly reside on vaginal tissues, leading to vaginal inflammation (vaginitis).
These includeyeast infectionsthat arise from the overgrowth of the fungusCandida albicansand other types ofCandida.Bacterial vaginosis (BV)similarly occurs when levels of a bacteria called lactobacillus are low, allowing “unfriendly” bacteria to thrive and proliferate. Some STIs can also cause vaginitis.
Signs and symptoms of a vaginal infection may include:
Apelvic examwith a vaginal swab may be needed to positively diagnose the infection and dispense the appropriate treatment.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
If you are sexually active, you may want to see a doctor about anSTD screenif you develop some of the following telltale symptoms:
Shared SymptomsMost of the symptoms of STIs can occur with nonsexually transmitted diseases as well as noninfectious conditions affecting the genitourinary tract. Even so, sexually transmitted infections should be considered if you haverisk factors for STIs.
Shared Symptoms
Most of the symptoms of STIs can occur with nonsexually transmitted diseases as well as noninfectious conditions affecting the genitourinary tract. Even so, sexually transmitted infections should be considered if you haverisk factors for STIs.
These include bacterial infections likeimpetigoandfolliculitis, viral infections likeshingles (herpes zoster)andwarts, and fungal infections likeathlete’s foot (tinea pedis)andringworm. Some are readily treatable with over-the-counter medications; others, likenecrotizing fasciitis, are difficult to treat and require aggressive medical intervention.
Signs of a skin infection may include:
Fever and chills can sometimes accompany an acute skin infection, along with increasing pain, tenderness, and swelling.
These characteristics can help direct the diagnosis and ensure the correct treatment plan.
Types of Bacterial Skin Infections and How to Treat Them
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Although you may have telltale signs of an infection, the symptoms alone may not be enough to pinpoint the exact cause. And this can be a problem if you treat, for example, a viral infection with an antibiotic or a bacterial infection with an antiviral.
Even certain “mild” infections, like bacterial conjunctivitis or acute bronchitis, can turn serious if left untreated or treated inappropriately.
It is important, therefore, to see a doctor if an infection is persistent or worsening or causing respiratory symptoms, changes in urination, hearing or visual impairment, or any other symptom that seems unusual or unexplained.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget.2018 Jan 23;9(6):7204-18. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208Thomas M, Bomar PA.Upper respiratory tract infection. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.Biscevic-Tokic J, Tokic N, Musanovic A.Pneumonia as the most common lower respiratory tract infection.Med Arch.2013 Dec;67(6):442-445. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.442-445Flores-Mireles AL,Walker JM, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432Archibald LK, Quisling RG.Central nervous system infections.Textbook Neurointensive Care. 2013;2013:427-517. doi::10.1007/978-1-4471-5226-2_22Cleveland Clinic.Sepsis.Gyawal B, Ramakrishna K, Dhamoon AS.Sepsis: the evolution in definition, pathophysiology, and management.SAGE Open Med.2019;7:2050312119835043. doi:10.1177/2050312119835043MedlinePlus.Hepatitis.Graves NS.Acute gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013 Sep;40(3):727-41. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006Hatchette TF, Farina D.Infectious diarrhea: when to test and when to treat.CMAJ. 2011;183(3):339-44. doi:10.1503/cmaj.091495Watson S, Cabrera-Aguas M, Khoo P.Common eye infections.Aust Prescr. 2018 Jun; 41(3): 67-72. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.016MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.Cleveland Clinic.Sexually transmitted diseases & infections (STDs & STIs).Clebak KT, Malone MA.Skin Infections.Prim Care. 2018 Sep;45(3):433-54. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2018.05.004
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget.2018 Jan 23;9(6):7204-18. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208Thomas M, Bomar PA.Upper respiratory tract infection. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.Biscevic-Tokic J, Tokic N, Musanovic A.Pneumonia as the most common lower respiratory tract infection.Med Arch.2013 Dec;67(6):442-445. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.442-445Flores-Mireles AL,Walker JM, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432Archibald LK, Quisling RG.Central nervous system infections.Textbook Neurointensive Care. 2013;2013:427-517. doi::10.1007/978-1-4471-5226-2_22Cleveland Clinic.Sepsis.Gyawal B, Ramakrishna K, Dhamoon AS.Sepsis: the evolution in definition, pathophysiology, and management.SAGE Open Med.2019;7:2050312119835043. doi:10.1177/2050312119835043MedlinePlus.Hepatitis.Graves NS.Acute gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013 Sep;40(3):727-41. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006Hatchette TF, Farina D.Infectious diarrhea: when to test and when to treat.CMAJ. 2011;183(3):339-44. doi:10.1503/cmaj.091495Watson S, Cabrera-Aguas M, Khoo P.Common eye infections.Aust Prescr. 2018 Jun; 41(3): 67-72. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.016MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.Cleveland Clinic.Sexually transmitted diseases & infections (STDs & STIs).Clebak KT, Malone MA.Skin Infections.Prim Care. 2018 Sep;45(3):433-54. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2018.05.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget.2018 Jan 23;9(6):7204-18. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208Thomas M, Bomar PA.Upper respiratory tract infection. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.Biscevic-Tokic J, Tokic N, Musanovic A.Pneumonia as the most common lower respiratory tract infection.Med Arch.2013 Dec;67(6):442-445. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.442-445Flores-Mireles AL,Walker JM, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432Archibald LK, Quisling RG.Central nervous system infections.Textbook Neurointensive Care. 2013;2013:427-517. doi::10.1007/978-1-4471-5226-2_22Cleveland Clinic.Sepsis.Gyawal B, Ramakrishna K, Dhamoon AS.Sepsis: the evolution in definition, pathophysiology, and management.SAGE Open Med.2019;7:2050312119835043. doi:10.1177/2050312119835043MedlinePlus.Hepatitis.Graves NS.Acute gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013 Sep;40(3):727-41. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006Hatchette TF, Farina D.Infectious diarrhea: when to test and when to treat.CMAJ. 2011;183(3):339-44. doi:10.1503/cmaj.091495Watson S, Cabrera-Aguas M, Khoo P.Common eye infections.Aust Prescr. 2018 Jun; 41(3): 67-72. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.016MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.Cleveland Clinic.Sexually transmitted diseases & infections (STDs & STIs).Clebak KT, Malone MA.Skin Infections.Prim Care. 2018 Sep;45(3):433-54. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2018.05.004
Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget.2018 Jan 23;9(6):7204-18. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208
Thomas M, Bomar PA.Upper respiratory tract infection. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Biscevic-Tokic J, Tokic N, Musanovic A.Pneumonia as the most common lower respiratory tract infection.Med Arch.2013 Dec;67(6):442-445. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.442-445
Flores-Mireles AL,Walker JM, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432
Archibald LK, Quisling RG.Central nervous system infections.Textbook Neurointensive Care. 2013;2013:427-517. doi::10.1007/978-1-4471-5226-2_22
Cleveland Clinic.Sepsis.
Gyawal B, Ramakrishna K, Dhamoon AS.Sepsis: the evolution in definition, pathophysiology, and management.SAGE Open Med.2019;7:2050312119835043. doi:10.1177/2050312119835043
MedlinePlus.Hepatitis.
Graves NS.Acute gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013 Sep;40(3):727-41. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006
Hatchette TF, Farina D.Infectious diarrhea: when to test and when to treat.CMAJ. 2011;183(3):339-44. doi:10.1503/cmaj.091495
Watson S, Cabrera-Aguas M, Khoo P.Common eye infections.Aust Prescr. 2018 Jun; 41(3): 67-72. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.016
MedlinePlus.Vaginitis.
Cleveland Clinic.Sexually transmitted diseases & infections (STDs & STIs).
Clebak KT, Malone MA.Skin Infections.Prim Care. 2018 Sep;45(3):433-54. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2018.05.004
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