Harmful Microorganisms and Disease

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 Pathogenic Microorganisms

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Disease-Causing Microbes:

1. Bacterial Diseases

  • Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Cholera: Vibrio cholerae
  • Food poisoning: Salmonella, E. coli
  • Pneumonia: Streptococcus pneumoniae

2. Viral Diseases

  • Common cold: Rhinovirus
  • Influenza: Influenza virus
  • COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2
  • Measles: Measles virus

3. Fungal Diseases

  • Athlete’s foot: Trichophyton
  • Ringworm: Microsporum
  • Candidiasis: Candida albicans

4. Protozoan Diseases

  • Malaria: Plasmodium
  • Amoebic dysentery: Entamoeba histolytica
  • Sleeping sickness: Trypanosoma

🔹 Disease Transmission

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Routes of Infection:

  • Airborne: Coughing, sneezing (droplets)
  • Waterborne: Contaminated water
  • Foodborne: Spoiled/contaminated food
  • Vector-borne: Through insects (mosquitoes, flies)
  • Direct contact: Touching infected surfaces

🔹 Prevention and Control

Preventive Measures:

  • Personal hygiene: Regular handwashing
  • Vaccination: Immunization programs
  • Sanitation: Clean water and food
  • Vector control: Eliminating breeding sites
  • Quarantine: Isolating infected individuals