What Is A Pathogen?

By definition, a pathogen is any disease-producing agent. This includes viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasitic worms…and the list goes on. Basically, it is an invader that attacks its hosts’ body because it is trying to live and procreate. Yuck. Unfortunately, pathogens have evolved over the years and become stronger. Pathogens have developed highly specialized mechanisms that allow them to cross cellular and biochemical barriers. In fact, your symptoms only contribute to the survival and multiplication of the pathogen. It’s like an alien invasion of your body.

How Do Pathogens Spread?

Pathogens usually enter the body through the mouth, nose, eyes, urogenital openings or open wounds. But how do they get there in the first place? This can happen in a variety of ways: direct contact to an infected host; through food, water or bodily fluids; airborne transmission (like a sneeze); or by touching contaminated surfaces. Did you know a sneeze can travel up to 200 feet?! And where do all those particles land? If you’re in public, pathogens could be on virtually everything you touch.

Why Are Pathogens A Problem?

As pathogens get stronger, the resulting diseases cause and increasing amount of illness and deaths each year. According to the CDC, Coronavirus has caused thousands of deaths in the United States, and numbers are still rising. They have also stated that tens of thousands of deaths occur in the U.S. each year from influenza. Who knew that by the year 2020 people would still be dying from the flu? Schools and businesses have been shut down all over the country in an effort to ride out these illnesses and prevent more hospitalizations and mortalities. Those are just two examples of illnesses. There are countless pathogens that cause all kinds of infections and diseases.

How Do Pathogens Spread?

Sadly, pathogens do prey on those with weak or compromised immune systems. This can include infants, children, elderly individuals and those with chronic illnesses like cancer. This makes shared environments like airports, buses, hospitals and clinics a risk for these individuals. If you have children, you may remember the nurses cautioning you on your way out of the hospital against bringing your newborn out in public too much or having too many people touching her. That’s because new babies’ underdeveloped immune systems are not apt to handle these highly strategic pathogens.

Contact Us

435-627-3090

3143 S 840 E #328
St. George, UT 84790

info@vioguard.com

EPA Establishment Number: 99547-WA-1

Learn More

If you have additional questions or would like for someone to contact you by phone or email, please fill out the form.

Blog

Why Aren’t Stethoscopes Sanitized?

Why Aren’t Stethoscopes Sanitized?

 Studies find that basic stethoscope hygiene is rare.If you found out that doctors rarely washed their hands, you might be hesitant to go to your next appointment. Luckily doctors have fairly good hand hygiene. But stethoscope hygiene is another story, and...

Increases in Hospital Infections Sparks National Action

Increases in Hospital Infections Sparks National Action

About 1/25 patients on any day have an HAI, equaling the population the size of Atlanta becoming infected every year.BY SYDNEY BROOKS A study published in the Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found that healthcare-associated infections increased in 2020....

Pin It on Pinterest