Question

In addition to exposure to germs or pathogens, what other factors influence your risk of getting an infectious disease?

Answer 1

Factors influencing susceptibility
- state of your Immune system
- genetic history
- overall health
- whether or not you have a re-exisiting infection
- chronic illnesses
- what your exposed to, if you work in a hospitial you are exposed to more pathogens then those who don't
- age (children and elderly have weaker immune system so are more likely to contract infection)
- gender (men have a more acidic skin Ph so get less skin infections then women who have less acidic skin)
- personal hygeine

Defensses:
There is the immune system which helps fight pathogens
There are three parts of it.
1. The barrier section such as skin, hair, mucus etc. these factors aid in stopping the pathogens entering the body
2. Phagocytosis- which is the process where the body uses the white blood cells to fight off invading pathogens
3. immunity- the development of antibodies to stop infection re-occurring

Answer 2

not my work but it sums it up very well