Microorganisms .... differences....

Microorganisms are also referred to as pathogens, bacteria and viruses and a few of which are considered harmful to health.   Our intimate knowledge of how an outbreak of a virus can change our whole entire world has been elevated in our consciousness recently following the most recent pandemic.

Many people have a vauge understanding of what the differences are between pathogens, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Understanding how pathogens work can help keep you and your friends and family healthy, so in this weeks blog I'm going to break it down for you.

What is a Pathogen?

As your body is naturally full of microbes, however, these microbes only cause a problem if your immune system is weakened or if they manage to enter a sterile part of your body. 

Pathogens are different and can cause disease upon entering the body, and all that is required for the pathogen to survive is a host. 

Pathogens are amazing, and it cleverly manages to avoid the body's immune system uses the body’s resources to replicate before exiting and spreading to a new host.

Pathogens can be transmitted a few ways depending on the type. They can be spread through skin contact, bodily fluids, airborne particles, contact with faeces, and touching a surface touched by an infected person.

There are different types of pathogens, but we’re going to focus on the four most common types: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

What are Viruses?

We are all now very well aware of the damage a virus can do, but for educational purposes, viruses are made up of a piece of genetic code, like DNA and RNA, and are protected by a coating of protein.  Once infected, viruses invade host cells in the body, they then use the components of the host cell to replicate, producing more viruses.

After the replication cycle is complete these new viruses are released from the host cell, which usually damages or destroys the host cell. Some viruses can remain dormant for a time, and then they start to multiply again.  When this happens, the person appears to have recovered from the viral infection, but then gets sick again.

Antibiotics do not kill viruses and therefore are ineffective as a treatment for viral infections. Antiviral medications can sometimes be used, depending on the virus.

What are Bacteria?

Bacteria are very diverse, and have a variety of shapes and features, and are able to live in just about any environment, including in and on your body. Bacteria are microorganisms made of a single cell. Not all bacteria cause infections. Those that can are called pathogenic bacteria.

If your immune system has been compromised by a virus, you will be more prone to a bacterial infection.  The disease state caused by a virus enables normally harmless bacteria to become pathogenic.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. This can happen naturally, but also happens because of the overuse of antibiotics, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

What about Fungi?

Fungi cause infections when they overgrow.  There are millions of different fungal species. Just 300 or so are known to cause sickness. Fungi can be found just about everywhere in the environment, including indoors, outdoors, and on human skin. 

Fungi cells contain a nucleus and other components protected by a membrane and a thick cell wall. Their structure can make them harder to kill.

Parasites are organisms that behave like tiny animals, living in or on a host and feeding from or at the expense of the host. Though parasitic infections are more common in tropical and subtropical regions, they can occur anywhere.

Three main types of parasites can cause disease in humans. These include:

• protozoa, which are single-celled organisms that can live and multiply in your body
• helminths, which are larger, multi-celled organisms that can live inside or outside your body and are commonly known as worms
• ectoparasites, which are multi-celled organisms that live on or feed off your skin, including some insects, such as ticks and mosquitos

They can be spread several ways, including through contaminated soil, water, food, and blood, as well as through sexual contact and via insect bites.

Protecting against pathogens

The following are ways that you can protect yourself and others against pathogens.

• Wash your hands
• Get vaccinated and ensure vaccinations are up to date
• Prepare, cook, and store meat and other foods properly. Use a good accredited range of products which are either BS EN 1276 or BS EN 14476
• Stay home when you’re sick, especially if you have a fever or diarrhea
• Don’t share personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes
• Don’t share drinking glasses or utensils.