Question

What are pathogens?

Answer 1

Pathogens:

1. Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease.
2. Once a pathogen enters the body, it can evade its immune system and multiply in the body.
3. Pathogens can spread disease via air, body fluids, feces, contaminated food, and surfaces.
4. A body becomes more prone to pathogenic infections when the immune system is weak.
5. Some pathogens are also helpful for humans, such as gut bacteria that aid in digestion.

The four main categories of pathogens are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Bacteria:

1. Bacteria multiply very fast in the host and secrete chemicals or toxins that make a person sick.
2. Antibiotics are used for treating bacterial infections; however, some bacteria have developed mechanisms to become antibiotic-resistant.
3. Some examples of bacteria are Staphylococcus, Streptococci, and E. coli.

Virus:

1. Viruses usually need a host to cause infection.
2. Once a virus enters a host, it uses the host’s machinery to replicate and damage the host.
3. Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections.
4. For example, influenza virus and varicella-zoster virus.

Fungi:

1. When the immune system is weak, fungi can grow and attack the tissues of the body.
2. Fungal infections are difficult to get rid of as they share a lot of structural similarities with eukaryotic cells.
3. For example, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum.

Parasites:

1. Parasites use the nutrients from the host for survival.
2. Parasitic infections can spread through contaminated water and soil, sexually, and via insect bites.
3. Treatment involves medications to alleviate the symptoms and eliminate the parasite.
4. For example, tapeworms and Plasmodium species.