Types of Pathogens and Their Characteristics

Communicable diseases are caused by various types of pathogens, each with unique characteristics and methods of causing illness. This page explores the four main categories of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, protists, and fungi.

Bacteria are very small cells that can reproduce inside the human body. They cause illness by producing toxins that damage cells and tissues.

Vocabulary: Toxins are poisonous substances produced by living organisms.

Viruses are not cells but are extremely tiny particles that reproduce rapidly inside the body. They invade host cells and use the cell's machinery to replicate themselves.

Example: When a virus-infected cell bursts, it releases many new viruses, causing cell damage and illness.

Protists are single-celled eukaryotes, some of which are parasites. These parasites live on or inside other organisms and can cause damage to their hosts.

Definition: A vector is an organism that transfers a pathogen to another organism without getting the disease itself.

Fungi can be single-celled or have a body made up of hyphae, which are thread-like structures. These hyphae can penetrate human skin and plant surfaces, causing diseases.

Highlight: Fungi can produce spores, which are reproductive units that can spread to other plants and animals, potentially causing infection.

Understanding the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites is crucial in health and social care settings, as each type of pathogen requires different prevention and treatment approaches.