eli5: What is the goal of bacteria or viruses that make humans sick? Why do they weaken their host?
In: Biology
The goal for bacteria and viruses is to live, and like pretty much every living thing, spread their genes to create the next generation. A host’s immune system can sense an “invasion” (or, in the case of some ancient species that lack an advanced immune system, like horseshoe crabs, blood will clump around an infection instead of fighting with antibodies). Much of a host’s symptoms can be attributed to the energy it takes to ward off infection. What’s interesting is that viruses and bacteria really NEVER want to kill off their host. If the host is dead, the virus or bacteria can die, too.
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