Explain Malnutrition

Malnutrition, impaired immunity and infection can form a triad or vicious cycle, as illustrated in Figure, which works synergistically and thus worsens the condition of  an individual. For example, a patient suffering from typhoid if not provided with good nutritional support, would deteriorate his nutritional status and develop nutrient deficiencies which would be detrimental to  the immune  system. An impaired immune system would increase the susceptibility lo infections.

So the syilergism of  malnutrition and infection must be clear. Next, let us see what metabolic changes occur during infection which impact on our nutritional needs.