Cause and Spread of Infection

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Causes and spread of infections 1 Understanding the cause of infection Bacteria can be both beneficial and pathogenic. These single cell micro-organisms are tiny living beings, neither plant or animal, that normally exist together in millions and reproduce only asexually. Some of their common illnesses and infections include ear infections, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, diphtheria, bacterial meningitis, gastritis and sinusitis. Viruses differ from bacteria, being coated genetic material and in that they do not reproduce on food, needing a living host to do so. They replicate by invading targeted cells of their host and taking over genetic material responsible for reproduction. These are tiny infectious agents that are so small that even a light microscope will not detect them visibly, infecting all kinds of cells from bacteria, fungi, plants, animals and humans. Some of their common illnesses and infections include colds, influenza, chicken pox, measles, mumps, herpes, norovirus and cold sores. Fungi are simple plant like single-celled organisms, reproducing both sexually and asexually via spores. They take on various forms and can include yeast and moulds. Again, these can be both beneficial and pathogenic. Some of their common illnesses and infections include athletes foot, ring worm, thrush and mycoses. Parasites can be found in soil, water, air and animals and can be acquired by consumption and contact of a contaminated surface. They differ from bacteria by needing a living host to complete their life cycle, being host specific. Some of their common illnesses and infections include scabies, malaria, bed bugs, lice and tape worm. Infection is an invasion of the body by a foreign substance such as germs, microbes and parasites, that can infect the body in numerous ways. Systematic infection can affect the whole body, possibly
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