Inflammation is a short or continuous immune response caused by temporary or permanent cell damage intended to rehabilitate the damaged tissue.
Inflammation vs. Infection. (Often confused.)
Inflammation and infection are two closely related but separate phenomena.
- Inflammation is a natural and immediate response of the immune system to repair any form of tissue damage, such as a blow, accident, harsh chemicals, radiation, burn, or infection of pathogens.
- Infection directly results from pathogens (Bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc.)
- The immune response to this infection is inflammation.
Although infections and infections are sometimes seen as synonyms, it is pretty clear that many cases of inflammation do not involve pathogens.
Prominent examples of inflammation that do not necessarily involve infection:
- Knife injury while cutting.
- A burn from an iron, stove, or boiling water.
- Callus on foot from prolonged walking.
Inflammation is usually characterized by redness, swelling (increased blood flow), and pain in contact. There is always a fear that the place will become infected as well.