Table of Contents
- Classification of Infectious Agents
– Advantages of Classifying Infectious Agents
- Summary
- What’s Next?
In the previous segment of ‘Why do we fall ill’ we learnt about the Types of diseases. In this segment, let us move forward and understand the Infectious agents.
How are infectious agents classified?
Based on the common characteristics shared, microorganisms are classified into major groups. They are:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Single-celled animals or Protozoans
- Multicellular helminths
Let us now look at an example of diseases caused by the respective groups of microbes.
|
Sr. No |
Group of Microbes |
Disease caused |
|
1. |
Virus |
Common cold |
|
2. |
Bacteria |
Diarrhoea |
|
3. |
Fungi |
Skin rashes |
|
4. |
Single-celled animals or Protozoans |
Malaria |
|
5. |
Multicellular helminths |
Intestinal infections |
What are the advantages of classifying infectious agents?
