Bacterial, Viral, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections

Micro-organisms that cause disease are collectively called pathogens and can spread between individuals. They eventually lead to disease by disrupting normal bodily processes and/or by stimulating the immune system to produce a defensive response i.e. high fever, inflammation and cough. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that come in many shapes including ball, rod and spiral-shaped. Most bacteria are not harmful, and some are actually beneficial. Less than 1% of bacteria is infectious—which can multiply in the body leading to disease. They produce toxins which can make you very ill. Viruses are tiny infectious agents that have a simple structure—consisting of DNA or RNA within a protein capsule. They can only replicate in the living cells of other organisms. Most fungi are harmless, and we eat quite a few of them. Included in the kingdom fungi are mushrooms, moulds in blue or green vein cheese and yeasts in bread. Other types of fungi can lead to illness Athletes foot, Candida, Ringworm. Fungal infections often affect the lungs, skin or nails. Some infections may also penetrate the body to affect organs and cause whole-body infections. Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism and benefit by getting nutrients at the expense of their host. They often spend part of their life cycle outside of the host, living in food, soil, water or insects. They can invade your body by eating contaminated food or drink. Examples of diseases that parasites cause include Rounds worms, Tapeworms, Flukes, Protozoa

• Bacterial Meningitis
• Eye Infections
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory Tract infections
• Sinusitis
• Food Poisoning
• Skin infections
• Common cold
• Myelitis
• Gastroenteritis
• Hepatitis
• Urinary Tract Infections