Bacteria and Viruses: Tiny Microscopic Pathogens
Bacteria and Viruses
Breann Johnson
COM/155
03/17/2013
University of Phoenix
Bacteria and Viruses Almost 56,000 people are hospitalized each year, and over 1,300 die because of
food borne bacteria and virus microbes. Bacteria and viruses are tiny microscopic
pathogens that can cause infectious disease, or even result in death. “Infectious
diseases remain a major cause of death, disability, social, and economic disorders for
millions of people around the world. Poor health care, poverty, human migration,
emerging disease agents, and antibiotic resistance all contribute to the expanding
impact of infectious diseases.” However, there are several defense mechanisms that
can be utilized, in an effort, to protect against invasion and decrease susceptibility of the
diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. Although bacteria and viruses have many
similarities, their differences are most evident in the ways they affect the human body.
Bacteria and viruses share some similarities. For instance, both bacterial and viral
infections are caused by a microbe. Bacterial or viral infections occur when microbes
enter a body and reproduce. Once the microbes reproduce they can cause mild,
moderate, or severe disease. They can cause acute infections which are very brief,
chronic infections which can last anywhere from a week to a lifetime, or latent infections,
which may not have symptoms at first, but symptoms can arise over a period of months
or even years. Both bacterial and viral microbes can cause similar symptoms in a
person. Some of the symptoms include coughing, sneezing, fever, vomiting,
inflammation, fatigue, diarrhea, or cramping. The human body uses all of these
symptoms in an effort to eliminate itself of any harmful organisms. If the symptoms
become severe consulting a doctor may be necessary, because severe symptoms may
lead to serious illness or even death.
Breann Johnson
COM/155
03/17/2013
University of Phoenix
Bacteria and Viruses Almost 56,000 people are hospitalized each year, and over 1,300 die because of
food borne bacteria and virus microbes. Bacteria and viruses are tiny microscopic
pathogens that can cause infectious disease, or even result in death. “Infectious
diseases remain a major cause of death, disability, social, and economic disorders for
millions of people around the world. Poor health care, poverty, human migration,
emerging disease agents, and antibiotic resistance all contribute to the expanding
impact of infectious diseases.” However, there are several defense mechanisms that
can be utilized, in an effort, to protect against invasion and decrease susceptibility of the
diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. Although bacteria and viruses have many
similarities, their differences are most evident in the ways they affect the human body.
Bacteria and viruses share some similarities. For instance, both bacterial and viral
infections are caused by a microbe. Bacterial or viral infections occur when microbes
enter a body and reproduce. Once the microbes reproduce they can cause mild,
moderate, or severe disease. They can cause acute infections which are very brief,
chronic infections which can last anywhere from a week to a lifetime, or latent infections,
which may not have symptoms at first, but symptoms can arise over a period of months
or even years. Both bacterial and viral microbes can cause similar symptoms in a
person. Some of the symptoms include coughing, sneezing, fever, vomiting,
inflammation, fatigue, diarrhea, or cramping. The human body uses all of these
symptoms in an effort to eliminate itself of any harmful organisms. If the symptoms
become severe consulting a doctor may be necessary, because severe symptoms may
lead to serious illness or even death.