Germs live everywhere. You can find germs (microbes) in the air; on food, plants and animals; in the soil and water — and on just about every other surface, including your body. Show
Most germs won't harm you. Your immune system protects you against infectious agents. However, some germs are difficult enemies because they're constantly mutating to breach your immune system's defenses. Knowing how germs work can increase your chances of avoiding infection. Infectious agents: From bacteria to worms
Types of infectious agents Infectious agents come in many shapes and sizes. Categories include:
BacteriaBacteria are one-celled organisms that can be seen only with a microscope. They're so small that if you lined up a thousand of them end to end, they could fit across the end of a pencil eraser. Not all bacteria are harmful, and some bacteria that live in your body are helpful. For instance, Lactobacillus acidophilus — a harmless bacterium that resides in your intestines — helps you digest food, destroys some disease-causing organisms and provides nutrients. Many disease-causing bacteria produce toxins — powerful chemicals that damage cells and make you ill. Other bacteria can directly invade and damage tissues. Some infections caused by bacteria include:
VirusesViruses are much smaller than cells. In fact, viruses are basically just capsules that contain genetic material. To reproduce, viruses invade cells in your body, hijacking the machinery that makes cells work. Host cells are often eventually destroyed during this process. Viruses are responsible for causing many diseases, including:
Antibiotics designed for bacteria have no effect on viruses. FungiThere are many varieties of fungi, and people eat several of them. Mushrooms are fungi, as are the molds that form the blue or green veins in some types of cheese. And yeast, another type of fungus, is a necessary ingredient in most types of bread. Other fungi can cause illness. One example is candida — a yeast that can cause infection. Candida can cause thrush — an infection of the mouth and throat — in infants and in people taking antibiotics or who have an impaired immune system. Fungi are also responsible for skin conditions such as athlete's foot and ringworm. ProtozoansProtozoans are single-celled organisms that behave like tiny animals — hunting and gathering other microbes for food. Many protozoans live in your intestinal tract and are harmless. Others cause diseases, such as:
Protozoans often spend part of their life cycles outside of humans or other hosts, living in food, soil, water or insects. Some protozoans invade your body through the food you eat or the water you drink. Others, such as the malaria protozoans, invade your body through mosquito bites. HelminthsHelminths are among the larger parasites. The word "helminth" comes from the Greek word for worm. If these parasites — or their eggs — enter your body, they settle in your intestinal tract, lungs, liver, skin or brain, where they live off your body's nutrients. Helminths include tapeworms and roundworms. Understanding infection vs. diseaseThere's a difference between infection and disease. Infection, often the first step, occurs when bacteria, viruses or other microbes that cause disease enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease occurs when the cells in your body are damaged — as a result of the infection — and signs and symptoms of an illness appear. In response to infection, your immune system springs into action. An army of white blood cells, antibodies and other mechanisms goes to work to rid your body of whatever is causing the infection. For instance, in fighting off the common cold, your body might react with fever, coughing and sneezing. Warding off germs and infectionWhat's the best way to stay disease-free? Prevent infections. You can prevent many infections and avoid spreading infections through simple tactics such as these:
You can also prevent infections through:
When to seek medical careSeek medical care if you suspect that you have an infection and you have experienced:
Your health care provider can perform diagnostic tests to find out whether you're infected, how serious the infection is and how best to treat that infection. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with
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. Which is a beneficial product created by bacteria that live in the intestines?Gut bacteria have several roles in the body. For example, intestinal bacteria: Produce vitamin B12 and vitamin K. Control the growth of harmful bacteria.
Which bacteria would cause an infection deep within the body such as in a joint?Bacterial infection with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is the most common cause. Staph commonly lives on even healthy skin. Septic arthritis can develop when an infection, such as a skin infection or urinary tract infection, spreads through your bloodstream to a joint.
What type of antibiotics inhibit the replication of microorganisms and prevent their growth without killing them?Often called bacteriostatic antibiotics, they prevent nutrients from reaching the bacteria, which stops them from dividing and multiplying. Because millions of bacteria are needed to continue the disease process, these antibiotics can stop the infection and give the body's own immune system time to attack.
How can some bacteria survive in harsh conditions such as hot springs quizlet?An endospore can protect a bacterium from intense heat, cold, or drought. It also enables a bacterium to remain dormant for months or even centuries. The ability to form endospores enables bacteria to survive extreme conditions that would eventually kill them.
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Which is a beneficial product created by bacteria that live in the intestines quizlet?
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