Summary Portage Learning NURS 251 Module 6 Introduction to Infectious Diseases

Portage Learning NURS 251 Module 6 Introduction to Infectious Diseases Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites as well as by viruses. Bacteria are defined as single-celled microorganisms. They can be found virtually everywhere and can either be harmless or very dangerous. This module will focus on the role of antibiotics to eliminate the pathogenic effects brought on by bacteria within a human host. Antibiotics are drugs that have the ability to destroy or interfere with the development of a living organism, typically bacteria. Bacteria Bacteria can be classified as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative. This classification refers to how they respond to the Gram stain procedure. Gram-positive bacteria stain