Is the most commonly encountered type of Pathogen?

Answer 1

At a first consideration, one might argue that it depends on the disease and on the circumstances and there seems to be no single answer. However, if one looks further between the lines then an answer for the worst pathogen seems to appear.

Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can kill, mame and disfigure. Yes.

But now consider WHERE most of the deaths and misery occur and WHY the misery occurs and why the people can't get access to cures.

Could the worst pathogen of all be the greedy human? For example, humans that channel aid into money for arms or personal posessions. Humans that charge extortionate rents and cause misery for tennants and their families through poverty. Some might argue for the inclusion of internet gambling companies and loan sharks into this list. Greed that forces the poor into prostitution. Humans that oppose health care for the poor because "I'm all right jake". The human that will own several jets and yachts whilst the sweat shop workers starve or have to rake in rubbish dumps to find some scrappings of half rotted chicken left overs for their kids.

So perhaps it's not MRSA, AIDS or FLU or even rabies, but human greed, that is the worst pathogen of all.

Perhaps it kills more than all the diseases combined ?

(Scientist)