Did you know that there are an estimated ten nonillion individual viruses that exist on our planet?
With such a large number of viruses, it is important to stay educated on what they are and what they do. This is particularly true if you are living with a chronic condition like an autoimmune disease. Knowing the terms in the vocabulary of viruses is the first step in truly understanding them.
One of these terms is virulence and pathogenicity. Keep reading this to learn the differences between pathogenicity vs virulence!
In this article
What is Virulence?
Virulence is the degree to which a pathogen or a virus can cause harm. The virulence of a pathogen is measured by the amount of damage it does to a host organism. The level of virulence is determined by factors such as how long the pathogen is present in the host, how much of the host organism it eats away at, how it spreads, and how quickly it grows.
In some cases, a pathogen may be benign, meaning it does not cause any damage. However, when a pathogen is highly virulent, it can cause serious harm or even death to the host. Virulence can also be used to refer to the ability of a bacteria, virus, or parasite to form a virulent strain.
What is Pathogenicity?
Pathogenicity is a term used to describe the ability of a microorganism to cause disease. It describes the potential of a particular organism to invade a host and cause an infection, which may lead to the development of illness and signs of disease. Pathogens can spread through the environment by contact, aerosols, water, and food sources, from one person to another, or through certain body fluids.
Pathogens can cause a range of different diseases, depending on which microorganism is responsible. This includes bacterial and viral infections, as well as fungal and parasitic diseases.
The effects of a pathogen can range from asymptomatic to mild, serious, and even fatal. It is, therefore, important to detect and understand pathogenicity in order to prevent and treat diseases caused by these organisms. You can check MyCPR NOW’s Bloodborne Pathogens Certification to learn about bloodborne pathogens, methods of transmission, exposure, safety considerations, and more.
Difference Between Pathogenicity and Virulence
Although they may seem similar on the surface, there are some important differences between them. Pathogenicity is the potential for a microorganism to cause disease, and it is measured by its causative ability.
Virulence, on the other hand, is the strength with which a pathogen is able to cause disease, and is determined by the degree to which it can produce toxins, initiate an immune response, or invade tissues. For instance, a highly pathogenic microorganism could be considered less virulent since it may be weakened by antibiotics or other measures.
The opposite could be true for a less pathogenic microorganism with greater virulence. Thus, while both these terms measure the ability of a microorganism to cause disease, they measure different aspects of this ability.
Being Wary Between Pathogenicity vs Virulence
Pathogenicity vs virulence are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but the differences between them are clear. Pathogenicity has to do with the ability of a microbe to lead to disease, while virulence is related to the degree of damage caused. To learn more and understand the differences better, we recommend our comprehensive guide.
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