Agent: bacterial, viral, protozoan, fungal, prionic, helminthic, ectoparasitic

Agent: bacterial, viral, protozoan, fungal, prionic, helminthic, ectoparasitic

Agent: Bacterial

  • Bacterial infections are caused by single-celled organisms called bacteria.
  • They range from benign strains, some of which are beneficial to human health, to harmful ones causing diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and diphtheria.
  • Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections, although bacterial resistance can pose a challenge.

Agent: Viral

  • Viral infections are caused by viruses, which are smaller than bacteria and require a host, like a human or animal cell, to reproduce.
  • Common viral diseases include the flu and common cold. More severe viral diseases include HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19.
  • Antiviral drugs may help treat some viral conditions, but vaccines remain the most effective method for prevention.

Agent: Protozoan

  • Protozoan infections are caused by parasitic single-celled organisms, such as amoebas and substances similar to algae.
  • They mainly impact areas with poor sanitation and can transmit diseases like malaria, giardiasis, and amoebic dysentery.
  • Antiparasitic medications are typically required to treat infections of this kind.

Agent: Fungal

  • Fungal infections are attributed to fungi, which include moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms.
  • Simple forms of fungal infections include athlete’s foot and yeast infections, while more severe forms may affect vital organs and can be life-threatening.
  • Antifungal medication is generally used to treat these types of infections.

Agent: Prionic

  • Prionic diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are caused by misfolded proteins that cause other proteins to misfold as well.
  • They can result in disruptive effects on a person’s brain function, leading to conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and Kuru.
  • Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatments for prionic diseases.

Agent: Helminthic

  • Helminthic infections are caused by parasitic worms, such as roundworms, flatworms, and thorny-headed worms.
  • Infections often occur through contact with contaminated soil, water, or food and can result in conditions like schistosomiasis and ascariasis.
  • Anti-parasitic medications are the first line of treatment for such cases.

Agent: Ectoparasitic

  • Ectoparasitic infections are caused by parasites living on the external part of a host’s body, such as lice, ticks, and mites, and often directly damage the host’s skin or hair.
  • They can transmit serious infectious diseases, including Lyme disease (transmitted by ticks) and scabies (caused by mites).
  • Treatments for ectoparasitic infections often involve medicated lotions or oral medications to kill the parasites.