The term health is very frequently used by everybody. How do we define it? Health does not simply mean ‘absence of disease’ or ‘physical fitness’. It could be defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. When people are healthy, they are more efficient at work. This increases productivity and brings economic prosperity. Health also increases longevity of people and reduces infant and maternal mortality  .When the functioning of one or more organs or systems of the body is adversely affected, characterised by appearance of various signs and symptoms, we say that we are not healthy, i.e., we have a disease. Diseases can be broadly grouped into infectious and non-infectious.A wide range of organisms belonging to bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths, etc., could cause diseases in man. Such diseasecausing organisms are called pathogens. Most parasites are therefore pathogens as they cause harm to the host by living in (or on) them. The pathogens can enter our body by various means, multiply and interfere with normal vital activities, resulting in morphological and functional damage. Pathogens have to adapt to life within the environment of the host. For example, the pathogens that enter the gut must know a way of surviving in the stomach at low pH and resisting the various digestive enzymes.

The biological agents causing a disease are called 'pathogen'. Which of the following are causative bacteria ?

(i) Salmonella typhi

(ii) Vibrio comma 

(iii) Giardia intestinalis 

(iv) Wuchereria bancrofti 

(i) and (ii) only 

The correct answer is option (1) - (i) and (ii) only

The causative bacteria among the options provided are:

(i) Salmonella typhi (ii) Vibrio comma

1. Salmonella typhi: This bacterium causes typhoid fever in humans. It is typically transmitted through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include high fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal issues.
2. Vibrio comma: This bacterium is associated with causing cholera, a severe diarrheal disease. Contaminated water or food, especially in areas with poor sanitation, can lead to the spread of Vibrio cholerae, causing cholera outbreaks.
3. Giardia intestinalis: Giardia is a protozoan parasite, not a bacterium. It causes a gastrointestinal infection known as giardiasis. It is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated water or food. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
4. Wuchereria bancrofti: This is a filarial nematode worm, not a bacterium. It causes lymphatic filariasis, a disease characterized by the obstruction of the lymphatic vessels. It is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes.