INFECTIOUS AGENTS

Always Around Us

TYPES OF
INFECTIOUS AGENTS
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protists
Prions

BACTERIA

Microscopic and Unicellular

They have genetic material,
but it is not confined by a
separating membrane.
The genetic material is
circular, and reproduce by
binary fission.
There are good bacteria that
you need in order to be
healthy.

ANTIBIOTICS

They are used to kill bacteria or

inhibit their growth.
They target bacterial cell walls,
while others dissolve the
membranes of bacterial cells.
Beta-Lactam antibiotics target the
cell wall.
Macrolide antibiotics block bacterial
ribosomes.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

Overly prescribing and the misuse of antibiotics contribute to antibiotic

resistance.
Gene Cassettes also contribute to antibiotic resistance.

VIRUSES
Are they alive or dead?
There are 7 classes of viruses.
They all differ based on their
genetic material.
Antibiotics do not work on viruses,
antivirals do.

ANTIVIRALS

Since viruses use the hosts cell

machinery to carry out their business,
antivirals are hard to design.
They target proteins that are specific
to the virus and not the host.
Not to be confused with vaccines.

FUNGUS

They are eukaryotes!

They have cell walls that are
composed of either cellulose or
chitin.
The use of antibiotics can
contribute to fungal infections.
Like bacteria, there are fungi that
are naturally found on the skin.

ANTIFUNGALS

They work by targeting the cell wall

or prohibiting growth altogether.
The main types of antifungals are
Topical: athletes foot
Oral: used when the fungal infection
is too severe.
Intravenous: used for serious
invasive fungal infections
Intravaginal: yeast infections

PROTISTS
Eukaryotes.
They do not have cell walls that
can be targeted.
Usually spread by food, water or
the bite of an infected arthropod.
Plasmodium is a common protest
that results in Malaria.
People with sickle-cell disease are
immune to malaria.

PRIONS

Fairly new class of infectious agent,

consisting only of protein.
They cause normal versions of
existing proteins to fold and morph
into the infectious form.
Cause degenerative disorders of
the central nervous system.
Mad Cow Disease is a commonly
known prion disease.

COMMON PRIONS
BOVINE SPONGIFORM
ENCEPHALOPATHY

CREUTZFELDTJAKOB DISEASE

COMMON ROUTES OF

INFECTION

ADMINISTRATION

Droplet Transmission (Respiratory)

Animal or Insect

Food or Water

Airborne

Intercourse

Dermal Transmission (Contact)

Oral
Nasal

Intradermal/Topical

Subcutaneous

Intramuscular

Intravenous/Intraarterial

LAYERS OF THE SKIN

COMMON INFECTIONS
From the Nail Salon

ATHLETES FOOT
Tinea Pedis is caused by the tinea
fungus growing on your feet.

WARTS
Caused by the Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV)
Not the strain that causes cervical
cancer**

MYCOBACTERIUM
FORTUITUM
Transmitted by foot baths, through
the legs when they are freshly
shaven. The bacteria travels through
the hair follicles.

COMMON INFECTIONS
At Your School

MOLLUSCUM
CONTAGIOSUM
Caused by a poxvirus.
Resolves in 6-12 months, but can
take up to 4 years.
If you can see the bumps on the skin,
it is contagious.

WALKING PNEUMONIA
Caused by a bacterial microorganism
calledMycoplasma pneumoniae
Is not severe. Usually resolves on its
own.

PINK EYE
Also known as conjunctivitis.
Mainly caused by the adenovirus.
However, it is also caused by
bacteria, viruses, dry eyes, chemicals
or allergies.

EVEN THE MOVIES

Arent Safe

THE SEATS

These seats are home to bed

bugs, group B strep, and fecal
matter.

THE FLOOR

Scientists have found tons and tons of bacteria,

especially E. coli.
Traces of fecal matter have also been found on
the floors.

THE ARMRESTS AND CUP HOLDERS

Constantly being touched.

Super Sticky and rarely
cleaned!
Tons of germs that you will
put near or in your mouth.
Scientists have found
Staphylococcus in these cup
holders.

THE POPCORN AND CONCESSION

STAND

Great breeding ground for

bacteria.

THE CUPS

Scientists found that 17% of cup lids tested

positive for fecal matter.
Thats 17% too many!

THE 3-D GLASSES

Both wrapped and unwrapped

glasses contained tons of
bacteria.
Most were harmless, but a few
were found to have staph
aureus, which causes pink eye
.

THE AIR

Youre in a closed space with

tons of people who have
goodness knows what. Some
viruses can stay alive for up
to eight hours, and that can
be for a total of up to 4 movie
changes.