Articles
Germs: Understand and protect against bacteria, viruses and infections
Understanding infection vs. disease
Content
Infectious agents: From bacteria to worms
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protozoans
Helminths
Understanding infection versus disease
Warding off germs and infection
When to seek medical care
Content
Infectious agents: From bacteria to worms
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protozoans
Helminths
Understanding infection versus disease
Warding off germs and infection
When to seek medical care
Protozoans
Protozoans are single-celled life forms that act like tiny animals. They hunt and gather other microbes for food. Many harmless protozoans live in the intestinal tract. Others cause diseases, such as:
- Giardiasis.
- Malaria.
- Toxoplasmosis.
Protozoans often spend part of their life cycles outside of humans or other hosts. They live in food, soil, water or insects. Some protozoans enter the body through food or water. Others, such as the malaria protozoans, enter the body through mosquito bites.
