Health Maintenance Practices and Infection Control

Viruses

One microorganism that is not beneficial to us is the virus. We already learned that it is the smallest microorganism and cannot be seen with a standard microscope. Now view the video below entitled "Put Your Hands Together."

Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy.

Diseases caused by Microorganisms

We have discussed all types of microorganisms. Read the chart below for some of the diseases caused by each.

Microorganism	Some of the diseases caused by it
Bacteria- Cocci	Gonorrhea, Pneumonia, boils, wound infections, MRSA, Strep throat, Rheumatic Fever
Bacteria- Bacilli	Tuberculosis, Tetanus
Bacteria- Spirilla	Syphilis, bacterial diarrhea
Protozoa	Malaria, amebic dysentery, trichomonas, African sleeping sickness
Fungi	ringworm, athletes foot, yeast vaginitis, thrush
Rickettsiae – parasites	Typhus fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Viruses	Hepatitis, Common cold, Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Herpes, Warts (including genital warts or HPV – Human Papilloma Virus), Influenza (Flu), Polio, AIDS (and HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

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