Common Infectious Organisms

Question 1

Bacteria / bak-TE-re-ah

Answer 1

Simple microscopic organisms that are widespread throughout the world, some can produce disease,
Singular: bacterium (bak-TE-re-um)

Question 2

Cocci / KOK-si

Answer 2

Round bacteria; may be in clusters (staphylococci)
chains (streptococci)
And other formations,
Singular: coccus (KOK-us)

Question 3

Bacili / bah-SIL-i

Answer 3

Rod-shaped bacteria
Singular: baillus (ba-SIL-us)

Question 4

Vibrios / VIB-re-oze

Answer 4

Short curved rods

Ex: cholera, gastroenteritis

Question 5

Spirochetes / SPI-ro-ketze

Answer 5

Corkscrew- shaped bacteria that move with a twisting motion

Ex: Lyme disease, syphillis, Vincent disease

Question 6

Chlamydia / klah-MID-e-ah

Answer 6

Extremely small bacteria with complex life cycles that grow in living cells but, unlike viruses, are susceptible to antibiotics

Ex: conjunctivitis, trachoma, pelvic inflammatory disease(PID), and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Question 7

Rickettsia / rih-KET-se-ah

Answer 7

Extremely small bacteria that grow in living cells but are susceptible to antibiotics

Ex: typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Question 8

Viruses / VI-rus-es

Answer 8

Submicroscopic infectious agents that can live and reproduce only within living cells

Ex: colds, herpes, hepatitis, measles, varicella (chickenpox), influenza, AIDS

Question 9

Fungi / FUN-ji

Answer 9

Simple, nongreen plants, some of which are parasitic; includes yeasts and molds,
Singular: fungus ( FUN-gus)

Question 10

Protozoa / pro-to-ZO-ah

Answer 10

Single-celled animals; singular: protozoon (pro-to-ZO-on)

Ex: dysentery, Trichomonas infection, malaria

Question 11

Helminths / HEL- minths

Answer 11

Worms

Ex: trichinosis; infestations with roundworms, pinworms, hookworms