Amongst the many reported health benefits of chocolate (including its ability to lower heart disease risk, prevent wrinkles and boost the mood), the popular treat is also a great pick-me-up snack, which is great news for chocoholics.
Credit: Dr. Libero Ajello/CDC. In addition to viruses and bacteria, there are three other major types of microbes that can cause infectious diseaseâand one newly discovered type. As with viruses and bacteria, not all of the species in each of these categories are infectious to humans. But many of the worldâs most prevalent infectious diseases are caused by microbes that are included in the groupings below. Fungi cause a wide variety of diseases in humans, ranging from Athleteâs foot to ringworm to deadly histoplasmosis.
These âbad-newsâ microbes are called disease-causing microbes and can make humans, animals and plants sick by causing infection and disease. Most microbes belong to four major groups: bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi.(To find out more, see the âBacteria/Viruses/Protozoaâ fact sheets).Disease-causing microbes can also be called pathogens, germs or bugs and are responsible for causing infectious diseases.They can also contribute to chronic diseases and conditions, and are now being linked with coronary artery disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, multiple sclerosis and chronic lung disease.ost microbes belong to four major groups: bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi. (To find out more, see the âBacteria/Viruses/Protozoaâ fact sheets). Disease-causing microbes can also be called pathogens, germs or bugs and are responsible for causing infectious diseases.