Infectious Agents

Infectious agents, also known as pathogens, are organisms capable of causing disease. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Infectious agents are responsible for numerous illnesses, such as the common cold, influenza, and malaria. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases caused by pathogens are extremely important for public health. Vaccines, antibiotics, and other treatments have helped to reduce the burden of infectious diseases, and continue to be valuable tools in protecting us from these agents. An understanding of the behavior of infectious agents is also important in controlling their spread. Understanding the biology of these agents allows us to develop better diagnosis and treatments.