Different Diseases Caused by Microorganisms

Microorganisms are also known as microbes that are not visible through naked eyes. Several types of microorganisms are harmless and beneficial to your body. However, other microbes can cause microbial infection or pathogens, leading to diseases.

Some diseases caused by microorganisms do not need any treatment and heal independently. But some microorganisms cause illnesses that can affect you for a long go. Read further to learn about microbes and the diseases they cause.

Microorganisms are microscopic living agents found in every conceivable environment on the earth. They include bacteria, viruses or fungus and live in a unicellular form or as a colony of cells.

The major groups or types of microorganisms are as follows:

1. Bacteria

Bacteria are prokaryotic microbes with a single cell and nucleus without a membrane. They can be of various shapes such as rods, spheres and spirals. People already have billions of harmless bacteria present in the body. However, the ones that invade your body from the outside cause severe illness.

2. Viruses

Viruses are majorly responsible for causing diseases among human beings. They are microscopic agents that require a living cell of another organism to reproduce. Viruses infect all life forms, including plants, animals, humans, bacteria and archaea.

3. Fungi

4. Protozoa

Protozoa is a group of unicellular eukaryotes that can live independently or as parasites. They generally feed on other living matter such as debris, microbes or organic tissues. One such example of protozoa is amoeba which can change shape. Another example is Paramecium which has a complex structure and fixed shape.

Several sources in the environment can transmit microbial infections. Therefore, it is vital to learn about the diseases and their transmission mode to take appropriate measures. Below are some lists of diseases caused by microorganisms and their transmission mode.