Pathogens; Understanding Diseases and How to Prevent Them

Definition

Pathogens are biological agents in form of micro-organisms that causes disease or illness to their host. The white blood cells in animals produce anti-bodies that can destroy these pathogens.  What these pathogens do is to disrupt the normal body processes the moment they gain access to our bodies.

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4 Major Types of Pathogens

* Bacteria

* Virus

* Fungi

* Protozoa

Bacterium Defined

This is a microscopic living organism that can be found everywhere. In human body it can be both beneficial and dangerous. Bacterium helps in food digestion. However, it can cause the human body dangerous diseases.

They are single-cell organisms without a nucleus.

Diseases spread by Bacteria

Staph infection, tetanus, pneumonia, syphilis, typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, strep throat, food poisoning etc.

Virus Defined: 

This is a microscopic agent that causes diseases to its host by replicating itself. Virus cannot live long or replicate without a host.

   

Diseases Spread by Virus:

HIV/AIDS, Influenza, Hepatistis, Common cold, chicken pox, small pox, genital herpes, genital warts, cold sores, measles, flu, polio, ebola, frequent vomiting etc.

Fungus Defined 

A disease carrying microscopic agent that feeds on organic matter, usually found in moist environment. (Think of the molds in your unwashed plates and pots, athlete’s foot etc). Mushrooms and yeasts are examples of fungi.

        

Diseases spread by Fungi

Athlete’s foot, mushroom poisoning, some types of pneumonia, candidiasis (this can be found in the mouth, throat, vagina or bloodstream), ringworm, eye infection (usually after eye injury), meningitis etc.

Protozoa Defined: 

This is part of the protista family of pathogens. They are single-cell organisms with nucleus

Diseases spread by Protozoa

Malaria, travelers; diarrhea, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) etc.

How diseases are spread

1.     Droplet infection: When you sneeze, cough or talk, you release tiny droplets in the air if you are already infected. Examples of diseases: tuberculosis, flu, common cold

2.     
       Direct contact of the skin: When you have a body contact with an infected skin. Examples of diseases: athlele’s foot, chicken pox, measles etc.

3.     
       Contaminated water/food: Eating food already contaminated by any of the disease-carrying agents. Example of diseases: cholera

4.    Body fluid: having a fluid contact with the blood or semen of the infected person. Example of diseases: hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, others STDs(Sexually-Transmitted Diseases)

5.    Vectors: These are animals that spread disease-causing pathogens: Example of diseases: housefly causing dysentery; mosquito causing malaria; tsetse fly causing (trypanosomiasis) sleeping sickness etc.

Common Disease Preventive Measures

There are many ways we can prevent or attack the various diseases caused by these pathogens. This includes:

a.     Use of vaccination;  b. use of antibiotics and fungicides (let this be taken moderately);  c. food safety;  d. environmental hygiene;  e. water treatment  

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