Diseases Caused By Microorganisms

The tiny living organisms that can not be seen with the naked eye are called microorganisms or microbes. These can only be seen under a microscope, and hence the name microorganisms have been given to them. These can be both useful as well as harmful. The harmful ones are known as pathogens. These can be divided into five categories: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and some algae. Microorganisms can be single-celled like bacteria, some algae, and protozoa, or multi-cellular like many algae and fungi. They can survive in all types of environments and are also found inside the bodies of animals, including humans. Some need to grow on other organisms to survive, while others can exist freely.

Diseases Caused By Microbes

A few harmful microorganisms can enter the body and cause infectious diseases. They can also spoil clothing, leather, and food. They are responsible for diseases such as flu, measles, chickenpox and tuberculosis, etc. Scientific research has also found and provided evidence that microbes may play a factor in many non–infectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. The invasion and multiplication of pathogens inside an individual are called infections. When the infection causes harmful effects on the individual’s body functions, the condition is known as disease. To cause an infection, microorganisms must enter our bodies. The site through which these enter the body is known as the portal of entry. The portals of entry can be the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urogenital tract, and skin. 

If a person has common cold sneezes, or coughs, droplets of moisture carrying several hundred viruses get spread in the air. These viruses can get transferred to the body of a healthy person while breathing and cause infection. Some insects and animals also act as carriers of pathogens, for example, a house-fly. When the flies sit on garbage and animal excreta, pathogens get stuck to their bodies. Then these flies come in contact with uncovered food and transfer the pathogens to it, resulting in the contamination of food. If someone eats contaminated food, he or she might get an infection. Another example of a carrier is the female Anopheles mosquito. It carries the parasite of malaria, i.e. Plasmodium. Similarly, the female Aedes mosquito carries the dengue virus. Let’s have a look at the disease caused by different microorganisms:

Diseases caused by bacteria: 

All bacteria are not harmful. Only some of them act as pathogens and cause diseases. Bacteria infects a person by producing toxins in the individual’s body. These bacteria can be destroyed by the usage of antibiotics. Cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, and anthrax are some diseases caused by bacteria. The Bubonic plague was also caused by a bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Contaminated food and water are the main sources of bacterial infections. Bacterial diseases are generally communicable.

Diseases caused by viruses: 

Viruses need a living cell to survive. They can not exist without it. They are so small that they only can be seen under an electronic microscope. If they infect an individual, they take over the complete cellular system of the individual. Viruses can not be destroyed by the usage of antibiotics. Viruses are responsible for causing the common cold, measles, polio, hepatitis A, smallpox, and covid-19. Viral diseases are generally spread through air and direct contact and are communicable in nature.

Diseases caused by fungi: 

Fungi develop on the bodies in moist and humid areas. It is responsible for causing diseases such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. 

Diseases caused by protozoa:

 Amoeba is an example of a protozoa family. It can cause amoebic dysentery. Protozoa is also responsible for causing diseases such as sleeping sickness and malaria.

Prevention Of Diseases Caused By Microbes

Medicines such as antibiotics and antibacterials are used to treat bacterial infections. These destroy or reduce the growth of bacteria. But these medicines have no benefit for viral infections. Hence, prevention is the way to protect oneself from diseases caused by microbes. The diseases can be prevented in the following ways:

• Isolate the infected patients and their belongings.
• Vaccination should be taken at a suitable time.
• Eat properly cooked food and drink boiled drinking water.
• Maintain personal hygiene and good sanitary habits.
• Keep the surroundings clean.
• Do not let water get collected in the surroundings to control the breeding of mosquitoes.
• Use mosquito nets and repellents.
• Use insecticide sprays.

Conclusion:

The tiny living organisms that can not be seen with the naked eye are called microorganisms or microbes. These can be both useful as well as harmful. The harmful ones are known as pathogens. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Bacteria cause cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, and anthrax. Viruses are responsible for causing the common cold, measles, polio, hepatitis A, smallpox and covid-19 etc. Ringworm and athlete’s foot diseases are caused by fungi, while malaria is caused by protozoa. Good personal hygiene, as well as clean surroundings, need to be maintained to prevent diseases caused by microorganisms.