what causes illnesses such as flu colds and measles
Microbes and disease. A few harmful microbes, for example less than 1 % of bacteria, can invade our body (the host) and make us ill. Microbes cause infectious diseases such as flu and measles.There is also strong evidence that microbes may contribute to many nonâinfectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Different diseases are caused by different types of micro-organisms. A pathogen is a micro-organism that has the potential to cause disease. 2  An infection is the invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microbes in an individual or population. 3  Disease is when the infection causes damage to the individualâs vital functions or systems.