It can be accurately said that pathogenic bacteria ___?

• A. Cause disease or infection
• B. Do not cause disease
• C. Are always harmless
• D. Are always viruses

Answer: (A)

Pathogenic bacteria are microorganisms that have the ability to cause disease or infection. Because the term means disease-causing, it is accurate to say they can trigger illness when they invade, multiply, or produce toxins. However, not all bacteria are harmful—many are nonpathogenic or even beneficial in certain contexts—so the idea that bacteria never cause disease or are always harmless isn’t correct. They are not viruses; bacteria and viruses are different types of organisms, with bacteria being single-celled living organisms and viruses being non-living particles that require host cells. In salon hygiene, this helps explain why strict sanitation and infection-control practices are essential to prevent transmission of disease-causing bacteria.