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Pesky Pathogens
- officialjustmed
- Jul 30, 2023
- 5 min read
Have you ever heard of something called pathogens? They’re everywhere! They are outside, in your home, on common surfaces, and more. However, what exactly are pathogens? Simply, they are living or nonliving, microscopic agents that can cause disease. This can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and much more. Let’s take a look at different types of pathogens and how we can treat and avoid them!
Prions
A prion is a nonliving, submicroscopic protein. These pathogens are commonly found in tainted meat. Eating these meats can allow prions to enter the body. However, thoroughly cooking meats can kill off the prions, so it can be safe to eat! Prions can also enter the body when an individual receives corneas or organs from other infected individuals. Prions cause normal proteins in the brain to fold abnormally. This leads to brain damage, and other diseases. As a result of this, prion-related diseases are always fatal. A common example of a prion disease is Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD). This is a condition that affects muscle coordination and memory. This disease results in dementia, difficulty walking, hallucinations, confusion, and death.
Prion diseases can be diagnosed through many different methods. These can include an MRI scan, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electroencephalogram (EEG), and blood tests. Additionally, there are numerous ways to prevent yourself from receiving prion-related diseases. Properly cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment can do wonders. It is also crucial to educate prion-infected individuals on not donating organs or tissue to prevent the spread of the disease.
Viruses
A virus is a microscopic agent made up of an outer protein shell called a capsid, which contains either DNA or RNA. Viruses are rather easy to infect, though its manner depends on the type of virus. Common ways to contract viruses are through touch, saliva, blood, or sexual contact. Viruses cause damage to the body by infecting cells and taking over the host cells’ protein synthesis process. As a result, the host cells and tissues can be destroyed, leading the immune system to weaken. A common example of a virus is the influenza virus which causes the common cold or the flu. This virus affects the respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, congestion, and much more.
Viruses can be rather easy to diagnose, often through physical examination along with clinical laboratory testing. They are also easy to treat; antivirals and over-the-counter medications can do the trick and help reduce the severity of the symptoms. However, vaccines and proper personal hygiene can help prevent infection as well.
Bacteria
Bacteria are living, microscopic, unicellular prokaryotic organisms. There are many different types of bacteria and the method of infection depends on each one. However, they can commonly be infected through any orifice, through a wound, by ingesting contaminated food or water, or through sexual contact. Once inside the body, bacteria can invade cells, cause tissue damage, and produce harmful toxins. An example of a bacterium is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Symptoms of this disease depend on where in the body the bacteria is growing. But usually, TB bacteria grow in the lungs, causing a bad cough, chest pain, and coughing up blood or phlegm, among other symptoms. If not treated, this disease can be fatal.
Many bacteria-related diseases can be treated through physical examination and clinical laboratory testing, similar to viruses. Antibiotics can also be used to treat bacterial infections. Vaccines and proper personal hygiene can do wonders as well.
Protists
A protist is a living, microscopic, single-celled eukaryotic, animal-like organism. Infection typically results through ingestion of food or water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected organism. Protists infect the digestive tract, blood, or organs of the body, depriving a host of essential nutrients found in food. As a result, tissue and organ damage may develop. An example of a protist is Giardia lamblia, the protist that causes giardiasis. Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease, causing symptoms such smelly diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps, flatulence, dehydration, and weight loss. Additionally, parasites may hatch in the intestines, leading to further damage in the body.
To diagnose protists, microscopic examination of fecal material will be necessary. Some infections can also be treated with antiprotozoal medication. Additionally, like always, maintaining sanitary conditions and personal hygiene can prevent infection as well.
Fungi
Fungi are living, multicellular, eukaryotic organisms. There are many different kinds of fungi, including yeasts, mildew, molds, and mushrooms. Fungi are also unique in that both microscopic and macroscopic varieties exist. Some forms of fungi can infect when its spores or reproductive cells are inhaled by a host. Some fungi can cause tissue damage, some kill their host, and others may colonize the living tissue. All of this depends on the type of fungus and they can all cause serious diseases. A very common example of a disease relating to fungi is athlete’s foot, caused by the fungus Tinea pedis. This disease can cause symptoms such as dry, itchy, stinging, burning, cracking and peeling skin. Blisters may also appear on the feet, and toenails may be thick and ragged as well.
To look for the presence of fungi in an individual, microscopic examination of tissue taken from the infected area or blood taken from the host will be necessary. Additionally, antifungals can treat many infections and avoiding contact with an infected host can prevent spread.
Helminths
The final pathogen we will be looking at today are helminths. These are living, multicellular, eukaryotic worms. Similar to fungi, both microscopic and macroscopic varieties exist. The method of infection depends on the type of worm. Infection may occur through consumption of contaminated foods or water or by being bit by an infected insect. Once they enter the body, helminths deprive the host of essential nutrients found in food, causing tissue and organ damage. An example of a helminth is a tapeworm known as taenia. This worm results in nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and malnutrition. It can also lead to much more serious issues such as cysticercosis, a disease that causes seizures.
To diagnose helminths, similar to fungi, microscopic examination of fecal material or blood will be necessary to look for the presence of worms. Deworming medications also exist, which can help treat helminths. Preventing helminths, however, depends on the type of worm. It is best to avoid exposure to food or water contaminated with feces from a person or animal infected with a worm, ingestion of meat from an animal infected with a worm, and insect bites.
There you have it! We hope you learned more about the pesky, yet fascinating world of pathogens. Of course, there are numerous other pathogens that exist in the world. Because of this, make sure you stay safe and maintain a good environment around you!
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