Pathogens
Pathogen - microorganisms that can cause infectious diseases.
Infectious disease - a disease caused by a pathogen that can be passed from one organism to another.
Vector - An organism that doesn’t contain the disease itself but spreads the infection carrying the pathogen.
Microbe - an organism that is too small to be seen by the naked eye.
They can cause illness in three ways:
- Release toxins into body
- Reproduce in the body
- Trigger an immune response
They can be spread in the following ways:
- Food and drink
- Insect bites
- Air
- Direct contact
- Indirect contact
When bacteria enter the body, they begin to reproduce and make toxins that destroy the body’s cells and make you feel unwell.
When viruses enter the body, they invade your cells where they reproduce. Finally the cell bursts and the virus particles infect other cells.