Microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. The most common infectious diseases and their causative agents.

Infectious diseases are caused by certain microorganisms - pathogens, are transmitted from an infected organism to a healthy one and can cause an epidemic or pandemic. Among the causative agents of infectious diseases are:

• microbes (bacteria);

• viruses;

• rickettsia;

• spirochetes;

• fungi;

• protozoa.

The man has best pressure than decreases. It can withstand values ​​up to three times normal. Most frequent disorder is decompression sickness which is observed among divers. Every ten meters deep in the water corresponds to the atmosphere.

Decompression sickness usually occurs after more than two atmospheres. High blood pressure increases the amount of dissolved gases in the blood, especially nitrogen. If upward decompression is sudden, bubbles form in the blood, leading to an air embolism.

A person can withstand pressure drops of up to fifty percent of normal value, which approximately corresponds to an altitude of 500 meters. However, the effect of hypoxia is felt from a height of 500 meters. Low oxygen tension creates peripheral vasoconstriction as a compensatory mechanism, which leads to an increase in circulating blood volume; This, in turn, causes pulmonary hypertension, which can lead to pulmonary edema, which is the most serious injury in mountain sickness.

Bacteria- these are single-celled rod-shaped microorganisms (pathogens typhoid fever, paratyphoid A and B), ball (staphylococcus, streptococcus), winding threads (spirilla) or curved rods (vibrio cholerae). The rod-shaped form is represented by the largest and most diverse group of bacteria.

Viruses- These are the smallest microorganisms, the sizes of which are measured in millimicrons. These include pathogens of influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, polio, smallpox, encephalitis, measles and other diseases.

Excessive heat accumulation in tissue can lead to necrosis and protein coagulation. In general, hyperthermia or heat stroke, peripheral vasodilation occurs as a regulatory mechanism, which leads to a decrease in blood volume in the internal organs and, consequently, to hypoxia. The sodium pump also fails and hypercalcemia occurs. Death occurs due to circulatory, respiratory and electrolyte disturbances.

The changes consist mainly of thrombosis in the microcirculation and the formation of ice crystals, which inside the cells cause an increase in osmotic pressure. Both changes lead to necrosis. They depend on the type of current, frequency in the case of alternating current. They also depend on voltage, tissue resistance to current flow, intensity, exposure time, and current path through the body.

Rickettsia– pathogens typhus, Q fever, etc. - occupy an intermediate position between bacteria and viruses. Rickettsiae are in the form of rods, or cocci. They are much smaller than many bacteria. Unlike bacteria, they do not grow on artificial nutrient media. Diseases caused by various types The pathogens of this group are called rickettsioses.

Changes can be: necrosis, suppression of mitotic activity and various changes macromolecules. Infection is the harmful colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. For example, a virus enters our body. A contagious disease is an invasion of our body and replication. These organisms use our infected body as a “host” and are usually invisible to the naked eye.

Infectious diseases are diseases caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. They are only called contagious if they are easily transmitted from one person to another. Often the invading microorganisms are called microbes. If these microorganisms cause disease, they are called “pathogens.”

Spirochetes(the causative agents of relapsing fever and syphilis) have the form of thin, corkscrew-shaped, actively bending bacteria.

Fungi, or microscopic fungi, unlike bacteria, have more complex structure. Most of them - multicellular organisms. Microscopic fungal cells are elongated, thread-like. The sizes range from 0.5 to 10–50 microns or more.

When infected, the infecting organism tries to use the host's resources to reproduce, and this can cause disease. Here we leave you with a link where they explain several of these diseases: List of infectious diseases. How is an infectious disease transmitted?

These diseases can be transmitted directly or indirectly from one person to another, for example, through contact with body fluids, aerosols, exposure to contaminated food or water through the bite of an animal such as a mosquito, or simply through exposure to organisms in the environment.

Most fungi are saprophytes, only a few of them cause diseases in humans and animals. Most often they cause various lesions skin, hair, nails, but there are species that affect and internal organs. Diseases caused by microscopic fungi are called mycoses.

Depending on their structure and characteristics, mushrooms are divided into several groups.

Only when the microorganism has successfully established the site of infection in the host does disease occur. Most time, he tries to prevent the virus from appearing in the host. Many organisms live in and above our bodies. They are usually harmless or even beneficial, but under certain conditions some organisms can also cause disease.

Symptoms infectious disease. But the main tool for detecting an infectious disease is microbiological culture. This is to take a sample of blood, saliva, urine or any other fluid and see if there is any virus, bacteria or any other pathogen in the sample fluid.

1. Pathogenic fungi include:

yeast-like mushroom calling serious disease– blastomycosis;

• radiata fungus, which causes actinomycosis;

• pathogens deep mycoses(histoplasmosis, coccidoidosis).

2. From the group of so-called “imperfect fungi,” the causative agents of numerous dermatomycosis are widespread.

Prevention of infectious diseases. Important vaccines can prevent many infectious diseases such as measles and chicken pox. But let's look at some recommendations. Frequent washing hands: This is especially important before and after preparing food, before eating and after using the toilet.

Vaccination: Getting vaccinated with vaccines can dramatically reduce your chance of contracting many diseases. Keep recommended vaccines up to date. Use antibiotics well: Take antibiotics only when prescribed. Unless otherwise directed or unless you are allergic to them, take the full dose your doctor prescribes of the antibiotic, even if you start to feel better. Never stop taking them before you finish treatment.

3. Of the non-pathogenic fungi, the most common are molds and yeasts.

Thus, the cause of an infectious disease is the penetration of a pathogenic microorganism into a susceptible organism in sufficient quantity and pathogen-specific pathway. Most infectious diseases have incubation period– the period of time between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms.

Stay home if you have signs and symptoms of infection: Do not go to work or class if you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or have a fever. Food Preparation: When preparing food, keep counters and other kitchen surfaces away. Also, refrigerate leftovers immediately. Do not leave cooked food out room temperature during long period time.

Disinfect "hot spots" in your residence: these include the kitchen, bathroom, and rooms that may have high concentration bacteria and other infectious agents. Practice safe sex: Use condoms. Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and until your partner is tested, abstain completely.

Microorganisms are the most numerous inhabitants of the planet. Among them there are both useful for humans, plants and animals, and pathogenic bacteria, pathogens.

Due to the introduction of such pathogenic microbes Infectious diseases develop in living organisms.

In order for pathogenic bacteria in animals or humans to cause an infectious lesion, they must have certain properties:

Don't use personal items: use yours toothbrush, comb or razor blade. Avoid drinking containers or utensils. Travel wisely: Don't travel when you're sick. With so many people in such a small area, it could infect other passengers on the plane. And your trip will be uncomfortable too. Depending on where you are traveling, talk to your doctor about any special vaccines you may need.

With a little common sense and appropriate preventive measures, you can avoid infectious diseases and prevent their spread. Healing and treatment of infectious diseases. They are usually prescribed to treat serious bacterial infections. But eyes only those produced by bacteria are not beneficial to those produced by viruses such as colds or flu.

  • pathogenicity (the ability of pathogens to invade a living organism, multiply and provoke the development of pathologies);
  • virulence (the ability of pathogens to overcome the resistance of a living organism); the higher the virulence, the fewer bacteria can cause damage;
  • toxicity (the ability of pathogens to produce biological poison);
  • contagiousness (ability pathogenic bacteria transmitted from a sick to a healthy organism).

A significant factor in the characteristics of pathogenic bacteria infectious lesions is the degree of their resistance to the effects external factors. IN varying degrees high and low temperatures, solar radiation and humidity levels.

For many viruses there are antiviral drugs that can treat the disease. Current antifungal drugs may be used to treat skin or nail infections caused by fungi. Some diseases, such as malaria, are caused by tiny parasites. Although there are medications to treat these diseases, some varieties of parasites develop drug resistance.

Exist alternative medicines, which look like they might cure some infectious diseases, but most of them failed negative results. Examples are vitamin C, blueberries, garlic, etc. Some of these products may cause allergic reactions or interact with other medicines you take.

For example, the ultraviolet component sunlight is a powerful bactericidal agent. Various chemicals have a similar effect on pathogens of infectious diseases. disinfectants(chloramine, formaldehyde), capable of short time lead to the complete death of pathogenic microflora.