Infections: spiritual meaning and emotional causes

What infections are

An infection is the growth of a germ (a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite) in the body, in one place or throughout it. The immune system normally keeps these germs in check. An infection takes hold when a germ gets past those defences, because it is especially strong, because it enters through a wound or a weak spot, or because the body's defences are lowered for a while.

Infections range from the everyday, such as a cold, flu, an ear infection, sinusitis, tonsillitis, cystitis, cold sores, athlete's foot or vaginal thrush, to serious illnesses such as pneumonia. Many viral infections clear by themselves with rest and fluids. Bacterial infections may need antibiotics, and some fungal and viral infections have their own treatments. Vaccines prevent several of them. Frequent infections can have causes a doctor can check, such as diabetes, some medicines, or a problem with the immune system.

Most infections settle. A few become dangerous quickly, and sepsis, in which the body's response to an infection starts to harm its own organs, is a medical emergency. The warning signs are listed below.

The emotional meaning of infections

Spiritually, an infection is linked to a germ that has found its place in your life as well as in your body: a situation or a person with whom you live a conflict, often an inner one, that you have not spoken about to anyone. Because it has not been resolved, it surfaces.

Short and sharp, or long and slow

An acute infection is associated with a violent emotion that came and went quickly. A chronic infection points to a feeling that has been there for a very long time. In both cases the question is the same: what is irritating or affecting you so deeply?

Compromise until "I can't take any more"

Infections are often read as the moment when you reach your limit. You may have made compromises for a long time to keep the peace. You may have held back your own freedom to suit other people. The indecision and the waiting now take all your energy, and you are drawing on your reserves. The spiritual interpretation sees a build-up of sad feelings and worry over a long period, and a conflict between two sides of your personality. Something in your life needs to change, or to move on, for you to find peace again.

Who is in charge of your life?

A viral infection invites a direct question: does someone else have the controls of your life? The forced rest gives you time to look again at how you live. Are you following others with your eyes closed, or living by your own beliefs and values?

Anger that eats at you

A fungal infection is linked to anger and a sense of powerlessness that seem to feed on you from the inside. You may be letting other people get to you while refusing to see your own potential. When an infection comes with pain or fever, the anger behind it is read as stronger.

Fear of what the solution will change

An infection can linger while a situation stays unresolved. You may be slow to settle it because you are afraid of the consequences and the changes it will bring. Seen this way, part of what keeps you stuck is the fear of the change itself.

Where in the body

The part of the body that is infected adds a nuance, so it helps to look at what that organ stands for. The page for an ear infection, cystitis or sinusitis, for example, goes into its own meaning. An infection of the sexual organs is linked to a conflict that irritates you and stirs up anger about your sexuality, or about the way you see it. Inflammation, which often goes with infection, has its own page too.

A gentler way to hold it

When the immune system is low, the spiritual interpretation sees self-love as the point at stake. The step it invites is a kind of inner clean-up: a way to "disinfect" your life of attitudes and habits that no longer do you good.

• Name the conflict. Say out loud, to someone you trust or on paper, the situation you have not told anyone about.
• Look at your compromises. Notice which ones you made freely and which ones you made at the cost of your own freedom.
• Make one choice. Indecision is tiring. Pick one small decision you have been postponing and take it.
• Give back what is not yours. Ask where you are living by someone else's rules, and what your own values would say instead.
• Treat yourself with care. Rest, eat well and let yourself be looked after while your body does its work.