Types of Pathogens
This tiny organism causes the common cold and must live inside a host cell to reproduce.
What is a virus?
This is when a disease spreads by touching an infected person.
What is direct transmission?
This is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens.
What is the skin?
This is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection.
What is handwashing?
This term means the presence of disease-causing organisms in the body.
What is infection?
This type of pathogen is a single-celled organism that can live almost anywhere.
What is bacteria?
This happens when you touch an object like a doorknob that has germs on it.
What is indirect transmission?
These cells help fight infections.
What are white blood cells?
Gloves, masks, and gowns are examples of this.
What is PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)?
This term means harmful and able to cause disease.
What is pathogenic?
Athlete’s foot is caused by this type of organism.
What is a fungus?
Sneezing and coughing spread diseases through these tiny drops.
What are droplets?
This happens when the body remembers a pathogen and fights it faster the second time.
What is immunity?
This type of infection is acquired in a healthcare facility.
What is a nosocomial infection?
This means a disease that can spread from person to person.
What is contagious?
This pathogen is larger than bacteria and often spread through contaminated food or water.
What is a parasite?
Mosquitoes spreading malaria is an example of this type of transmission.
What is vector transmission?
Vaccines help the body build this without getting the disease.
What is active immunity?
This is the process of destroying all microorganisms.
What is sterilization?
This term means the ability to produce disease.
What is virulence?
This type of pathogen lacks a nucleus and reproduces by dividing in two.
What is bacteria?
This is the time when a person is infected but not showing symptoms yet.
What is the incubation period?
This type of immunity is passed from mother to baby.
What is passive immunity?
This is the chain that describes how infections spread from one person to another.
What is the chain of infection?
This term means the study of disease.
What is pathology?