Infectious agent
Infectious agent is a term used in microbiology to refer to a pathogen or microorganism that has the potential to cause disease or infection in a host organism. Infectious agents can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions. They are capable of transmission from one host to another, leading to the spread of infectious diseases.
Types of Infectious Agents[edit | edit source]
Bacteria[edit | edit source]
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can cause a variety of diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Some examples of bacterial infections include tuberculosis, pneumonia, and salmonella.
Viruses[edit | edit source]
Viruses are smaller than bacteria and require a host cell to reproduce. They can cause diseases such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19.
Fungi[edit | edit source]
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. Some fungi can cause diseases in humans, such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and candidiasis.
Parasites[edit | edit source]
Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host. Some examples of parasitic diseases include malaria, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis.
Prions[edit | edit source]
Prions are infectious agents composed entirely of a protein material that can fold in multiple, structurally distinct ways. They can cause diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and kuru.
Transmission of Infectious Agents[edit | edit source]
Infectious agents can be transmitted in several ways, including direct contact, indirect contact, airborne transmission, and vector-borne transmission.
Prevention and Control[edit | edit source]
Prevention and control of infectious diseases largely rely on proper hygiene practices, vaccination, and the use of antimicrobial medicines.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
