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Pathogens
A pathogen is an organism or virus which causes a disease.
Examples;
| Type of pathogen |
Disease Caused |
| Virus |
HIV (AIDS) Influenza |
| Bacteria |
Tuberculosis |
| Fungi |
Thrush, Athletes Foot |
| Flatworms |
Bilharzia |
| Roundworms |
Intestinal Roundworm |
How do pathogens get transmitted from person to person?
There are about six possible methods of Transmission.
- Direct contact- from touching skin
- Cuts to the skin
- Droplets - especially in coughs and colds via sneezes.
- Food or Water - pathogens can enter the body via the soft gut wall, if
they can survive the acid environment of the stomach.
- Sexual intercourse - the soft mucus membranes of the penis and vagina can
be crossed by some pathogens.
- Insects - blood sucking insects put their mouth parts through the skin an
so can transmit pathogens eg. malaria.
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