Tag: Infection risk

According to the National Institutes of Health, parenteral nutrition is a life-sustaining treatment, yet studies have consistently identified it as a high-risk therapy. The serious and potentially life-threatening complications associated with this intravenous feeding method require careful consideration and meticulous management to ensure patient safety.

According to the American Transplant Foundation, consuming dairy products like milk is an important part of a transplant recipient's diet for calcium and protein intake. However, special precautions are necessary regarding dairy to prevent foodborne illness. Specifically, can transplant patients drink milk, and what type is safest to consume?

Numerous clinical studies have shown that when feasible, enteral nutrition is the preferred method of nutritional support over parenteral nutrition. This is primarily due to its ability to maintain the physiological function of the gastrointestinal tract, which has widespread benefits for patient health.

According to the CDC, individuals with neutropenia—a type of low WBC count—face an increased risk of infections, which can escalate quickly into life-threatening complications. Protecting yourself by understanding what to avoid is crucial for minimizing this risk and maintaining your health. This guide will outline the key lifestyle, food, and environmental precautions to take when your white blood cell count is low.

According to a 2025 study in *Global Public Health*, elderly individuals with UTIs were found to be nearly six times more likely to be anemic. This research, among others, points to a clear association, indicating that iron deficiency can cause UTIs by impairing the body's immune function.

Malnutrition is common in critically ill patients, with research indicating that up to 40% are at risk. For comatose individuals who cannot consume food orally but have a functional gut, enteral nutrition is the recommended method of nutritional support.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition—covering both undernutrition and overnutrition—is one of the greatest global health challenges. This condition can cause you to get sick by debilitating the body's defenses, making it more vulnerable to infections and chronic diseases.

Living without a spleen significantly increases your vulnerability to certain infections, particularly from foodborne pathogens. When considering what can't you eat without a spleen, it's not about strict prohibition but about adopting a lifelong, vigilant approach to food choices and preparation to minimize risk.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition—often a root cause of being underweight—is the most common cause of immunodeficiency globally. This highlights a critical link between low body weight, inadequate nutrition, and compromised immune function.

According to the World Health Organization, iron supplementation is not recommended during the initial, or stabilization, phase of treating severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Healthcare professionals intentionally withhold this vital micronutrient to prevent a cascade of dangerous complications, including increased infection risk and severe oxidative stress.