Pathogens
Definitions
A pathogen is an organism which causes disease.
A vector is the agent responisble for carrying pathogens from the organism to another.
When a pahogenic organism invades your body it uses it as a means for survival and so is a parasite and you a host. This relationship is benificial for the pathogen but not for the host - inflicting damage.
Types of Pathogen
Pathogens are spread in various ways, and there are various types. This table will give you the lowdown on it all.
| Disease | Pathogen | Symptoms | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cholera | Bacteria (Vibrio Cholerae) | Diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, dehydration | Bad water, poorly cooked fish |
| Salmonellosis | Bacteria (Salmonella) | Diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, headache | Poorly cooked foods, especially poultry and eggs. |
| Influenza flu | Virus (Orthomyxovirdae) | Fever headache, sore throat, eye irritation | Mucas particle in the air |
| Athletes Foot | Fungi (Tinea Pedis) | Scaling and itching, cracked skin and inflammation | Contact with damage on foot. |
| Hepatitis B | Hepanda Virus | Fatigue, nausea, pain over liver and jaundice (skin appears yellow) | Exposure to infected bodily fluids e.g. Semen, blood and from mother child by milk. |
| Dysentry | Shingella Bacteria | Bloody diarrhoea, fever, abdominal and rectal pain | Inanimate objects (fomites) |
| Malaria | Protozoa (Plasmodium) | Fever, shivering, joint pain, vomiting and anaemia (lack of red blood cells) | Female anopheles mosquito |
Protazoa are single celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, have a nucleus and are unlike fungi that have multiple nuclei.