Pathogenic microorganisms - the cause of infectious diseases

Few people can boast of one hundred percent health. For sure, each of us at least once in my life experienced the unpleasant symptoms of an infectious disease. They all manifest themselves in different ways, but the cause of the occurrence of this or that "sore" is practically the same in all cases - pathogenic microorganisms. They penetrate into us from outside and begin their insidious activities in the introduction of infection. In order to determine the methods of struggle and the expulsion of small "invaders", first of all, it is necessary to clearly determine what they are in general represent.

Pathogenic microorganisms are a special type of pathogenic microbes. They penetrate not only into humans, but also excel in the cells and tissues of animals, plants and insects. In this case, the last two points can be just a vector of infection. Due to their properties, pathogenic microorganisms can even weaken the natural protection of their carrier - its immunity. Due to this, a person becomes exposed to other diseases. Each individual species of such microbes causes its own individual infection. Diseases of this kind can easily be transmitted from one living organism to another. Therefore, they are often called "infectious" in everyday life.

The severity of the disease depends on several factors at the same time:

• Pathogenicity, as well as the virulence of the microorganism;
• Environmental conditions;
• The general state of the microbe.

We will first deal with the first two concepts. Pathogenic microbes got their name precisely because of the basic ability, which is characterized as follows. Each bacterium, depending on its variety, as well as conditions, can cause a specific disease in the body of its carrier. Such an "infection" will be inherent in this microbe and no other. This ability is a species trait.

Virulence reflects the degree of pathogenicity of a particular strain of microorganisms. Therefore, it is an individual attribute. However, virulence can be significantly increased if the bacillus passes through several living organisms, alternately infecting them with the disease. In practice, this property can be either strengthened or reduced. However, with proper exposure, there is a chance to eliminate it altogether.

In addition to its main essence, some pathogens produce special toxins that negatively affect the carrier cells. They contribute to a deeper penetration of the infection, and also increase the symptoms of its course. In addition, toxins significantly weaken the body's defense, which makes the disease even more dangerous.

To get a person infected with such a "sore", it will be enough to penetrate the minimum number of active bacteria. And the more they get inside the body, the faster the first symptoms of the disease will appear. Also important is the way that pathogenic microorganisms are inside a person. If open and internal mucous areas (nose, mouth, lungs, etc.) participated in this process, then, most likely, the first signs of ailment you will feel very soon. But subcutaneous penetration guarantees infection only in the event of a large number of pathogenic "invaders".

The period during which microbes have already managed to enter the body, but have not yet begun to actively manifest their activities, is called incubation. It can have a different duration depending on how active and pathogenic bacteria have penetrated. In addition, the human immune system has already begun to exterminate other people's cells. Therefore, if the body's protective barrier functions well, then the disease itself may not even go beyond the incubation period.