They usually protect these tissues from diseases. Micro-organisms include bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. Medical microbiology is concerned with those micro-organisms which cause disease in humans. An acute infection, usually of childhood, which has characteristic spasms of coughing. For example, vaccination, or giving antibiotics when patients undergo procedures which put them at risk of acquiring an infection although they do not have an infection at the time of the procedure.
Malaria is caused by a protozoon.
There are numerous species, one of which causes typhoid fever. More serious infections include blood-poisoning and pneumonia as well as heart valve, bone and joint infections. More serious infections include scarlet fever and pneumonia. Treatment with antibiotics takes many months. This glossary is based largely on information supplied by the Association of Medical Microbiologists.