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Infectious diseases can be caused by: Bacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis. Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS. Fungi.
Viruses. Viruses are bits of genetic information, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by protein. A virus needs a living host, such as a person, plant or animal. To spread, a virus gets into a host's body and then into the host's cells. Then it takes over the host cell's machinery, using it to make more of the virus.
Other bacteria can get into and damage tissues. Some infections caused by bacteria include: Strep throat. Tuberculosis. Urinary tract infections. Viruses. Viruses are much smaller than cells. In fact, viruses are just capsules that hold genetic material. To reproduce, viruses invade cells in the body. They take over the process that makes cells ...
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
Exposure to viruses, bacteria or parasites. This is a major risk factor for sudden onset of diarrhea. Diet. Certain foods or drinks, including coffee, tea, dairy products, or foods containing artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea in some people. Medicines.
STIs are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. A sexually transmitted infection may pass from person to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. Sometimes sexually transmitted infections are spread in ways other than sexual contact. For example, STIs can spread to infants during pregnancy or childbirth.
Bacteria and viruses differ in their structure and their response to medications. Bacteria are single-celled, living organisms. They have a cell wall and all the components necessary to survive and reproduce, although some may derive energy from other sources. Viruses are not considered to be “living” because they require a host cell to ...
Bacteria. Viruses. Parasites that can live in the intestines. Poisons, also called toxins. Bacteria that carry or make toxins. Molds that make toxins. Understanding terms. The term "food poisoning" is commonly used to describe all foodborne illnesses. A health care provider might use these terms to be more specific:
Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because bacteria and viruses have different mechanisms and machinery to survive and replicate. The antibiotic has no “target” to attack in a virus. However, antiviral medications and vaccines are specific for viruses. Vaccines stimulate your own immune system to produce antibodies, which then can “recognize ...
Regulate air pressure in the middle ear. Refresh air in the ear. Drain normal secretions from the middle ear. Swollen eustachian tubes can become blocked, causing fluids to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can become infected and cause the symptoms of an ear infection.