['Pathogen' redirects to here]
A microorganism (or microbe) is a living thing too small to see without a microscope, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Most are harmless and many are helpful. Those that cause disease are called pathogens, or germs. Examples of concern in healthcare:
- Bacteria: MRSA, Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), E. coli, Klebsiella
- Viruses: influenza, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), RSV, norovirus, hepatitis B and C, HIV
- Fungi: Candida auris, Aspergillus