ABOUT PATHOGENS AND TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES
A pathogen is a microorganism [a tiny organism that can be seen only with microscope] that a cause diseases. Many diseases are caused by pathogens that get into our bodies and breed there. There are four kinds of microorganism that can act as pathogens, and some of diseases the they
cause.
1. Viruses - influenza, common cold, poliomyelitis, AIDS.
2. Bacteria - cholera, syphilis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, tetanus.
3. Protoctists - malaria, amoebic dysentery.
4. Fungi - athlete's foot, ringworm.
Diseases that are caused by pathogens can usually be passed from one person to another. They
are called transmissible diseases. There are several types in which pathogens can get into your body. The two main types are called direct and indirect contact. It is also called as contagious
disease.
Once inside the body, some pathogens may damage our cells by living in them and using up
their resources. Others cause harm to cells and body systems by producing waste products,
called toxins, which spread around the body and cause symptoms such as high temperature
and rashes and make you feel ill. Some toxins produced by pathogens - such as the one
caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum - are among the most dangerous poisons in
the world.