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.
Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites and can spread between individuals. What is an infectious disease? Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. Microorganisms that cause disease are collectively called pathogens. Pathogens cause disease either by disrupting the bodies normal processes and/or stimulating the immune system to produce a defensive response, resulting in high fever, inflammation and other symptoms.