The spelling of the phrase "becomes infected with" can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word, "becomes," is pronounced as /bɪˈkʌmz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The second word, "infected," is pronounced as /ɪnˈfɛktɪd/, with the stress on the first syllable. The third word, "with," is pronounced as /wɪð/, with the "th" sound being voiced. Together, these words form a phrase that describes the process of contracting a disease or infection.
When an individual "becomes infected with" something, it refers to the process by which a person acquires a harmful microorganism, pathogen, or disease-causing agent. Typically, this occurs when the organism or agent enters and establishes itself within the individual's body. Infection can happen through various routes, such as direct contact with an infected person or contaminated object, inhalation of airborne particles carrying the pathogen, consumption of contaminated food or water, or transmission by vectors like mosquitoes or ticks.
Once the individual becomes infected, the microorganism or pathogen starts to proliferate and invade the person's body tissues. This triggers an immune response, in which the immune system recognizes the foreign invaders and attempts to eliminate them. However, the severity and outcome of the infection vary depending on the specific infectious agent and the individual's immune system's strength.
Infections can range from mild, causing minimal symptoms or discomfort, to severe, where they may lead to serious illness, tissue damage, or even death. Common examples of infections include respiratory infections like the flu, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea or HIV, or gastrointestinal infections like salmonella food poisoning.
To diagnose and treat infections, medical professionals often rely on various methods such as clinical examination, laboratory testing, and imaging techniques. Treatments may include medications like antibiotics or antivirals, supportive care, or vaccines to prevent future infections. In some cases, the immune system effectively clears the infection, leading to recovery and long-term immunity against that specific pathogen.