Bacteria and viruses
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease.
Bacteria are pathogens, they are tiny single-celled
invaders that can cause harm in the body.
Streptococcus bacteria can cause a sore throat.
The bacteria are spread by coughs and sneezes.
When they grow in the throat they produce toxins
that cause redness and swelling.
A sore throat is not usually a very serious condition
and can be cleared up with antibiotics that kill the
bacteria.
Viruses are pathogens, they are not actually alive,
they contain genetic material that ‘hijacks’ the host
cell.
Rhinovirus is the most common virus that infects
humans.
The virus makes the host cell replicate more virus
particles, eventually the cell bursts and the cell dies.
The released virus particles can infect further cells.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses.