03. How does disease spread?

Many microbes can cause diseases, we call these microbes Pathogens.

Here are some diseases caused by fungi:

• • athlete's foot

  • thrush

Here are some diseases caused by bacteria:

• • tuberculosis, TB (affects the lungs)

  • salmonella (causes food poisoning)

  • whooping cough (affects the lungs)

Here are some diseases caused by viruses:

• • chicken pox (affects skin and nerves)

  • common cold

  • influenza, flu

  • measles (affects skin and lungs)

  • mumps (affects salivary glands)

  • rubella, german measles

Microbes cause disease when they are able to reproduce in the body. They produce harmful substances called toxins, and damage tissues and organs. We say that someone who has harmful disease-causing microbes in them is infected.