Answer to Question #96519 in Biology for Lamercie Civil

Question

Explain the germ theory of disease and discuss why this theory is essential to the treatment of infectious diseases.

Answer 1

The germ theory of diseases states that microorganisms can cause the development of some disorders. These microorganisms that include bacteria, protists, fungi, and viruses invade the organism, grow and reproduce, leading to the emergence of the disease symptoms. The theory states that infectious disease is caused by a specific pathogen. The germ theory of the disease that was accepted at the beginning of the XIX century helped to develop the methods of prevention and treatment that eliminate the cause of the illness - infectious pathogens. As a result, the disease can be treated by targeting the particular microorganism. Management of the disease includes the use of specific drugs that affect the metabolism of the microorganism and do not significantly affect the host organism.