Microorganisms and Disease

The effects that an infection has on the body, such as a fever (raised body temperature) or a rash are called the symptoms. Different microorganisms cause different symptoms, but they all damage the body in one way or another. The damage is done to the body's cells.

Some microorganisms damage cells directly. For example, malaria parasites invade red blood cells and multiply inside them, eventually making the cells burst open. Malaria causes flu-like symptoms.