According to the Mayo Clinic, bacteria, viruses and other infectious organisms live everywhere. You can find them in the air; on food, plants and animals; in the soil and in the water; and on just about every other surface — including your own body. They range in size from microscopic single-cell organisms to parasitic worms that can grow to several feet in length.
Most of these organisms (microbes) won’t harm you. But others can cause infection. Your immune system protects you against an abundance of these infectious agents, and at times, it’s a tough task. Viruses and bacteria are cunning adversaries, constantly seeking new ways to breach your immune system’s defenses.
But you can give your immune system a fighting chance by understanding a little bit about the various kinds of microbes, what you can do to avoid infection and under what circumstances you should seek medical care.Continue Reading From bacteria to parasites: Understanding the germs that cause infection