1.8 Changing pathogens

Question 1

What is it called if a pathogen changes

Answer 1

A mutation

Question 2

If a pathogen has mutated into a new form, why can this be very dangerous?

Answer 2

Very few people will have developed a resistance to the changed pathogen, so the disease can spread quickly. The mutated pathogen can be more dangerous or less dangerous than the original

Question 3

What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?

Answer 3

An epidemic is a disease that is infects many people in one country, a pandemic is one that spreads internationaly.

Question 4

How do some bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Answer 4

Antibiotics can only kill pathogens that are not resistant to them. Those that survive antibiotic treatment will reproduce and a whole population of a resistant strain develops. This is natural selection, it is a mutation of the pathogen into an antibiotic resistant form

Question 5

Name an antibiotic resistant bacteria

Answer 5

MRSA, the super bug

Question 6

How can we slow down the rate of development of resistant stains of antibiotic bacteria? 2

Answer 6

Do not use antibiotics for mild illnesses which can probably be dealt with by the bodies own immune system.

Make sure the course of antibiotic is completed.