Skip to main content

Find More Information on the Government of BC Website

British Columbians & Our Governments
Health
Birth, Adoption, Death, Marriage & Divorce
Education & Training
Driving & Transportation
Public Safety & Emergency Services
Law, Crime & Justice
Taxes & Tax Credits
Housing & Tenancy
Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture
Environmental Protection & Sustainability
Farming, Natural Resources & Industry
Employment, Business & Economic Development
Tourism & Immigration
Family & Social Supports

Keywords

Main navigation

Healthy Eating & Physical Activity
Food and Nutrition

Healthy eating is a pattern of eating that contributes to your best possible health.
Mental Health & Substance Use
Wellbeing

Your wellbeing is how you manage the ups and downs of day-to-day life. Learn tips and find resources on how to support your mental wellbeing.
Pregnancy & Parenting
Baby's Best Chance

Baby’s Best Chance is a reference guide for parents that includes resources on pregnancy, birth and parenting.
Illnesses & Conditions
Learning Centres

Find information about health topics, medical tests and decision-making tools in our Learning Centre.
Tests, Treatments & Medications
Medications

Learn about prescription and over-the-counter medications for all types of illnesses.
Health Services
Health Connect Registry

Register to get a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your community.
More
Healthy Aging

People are living longer than ever before. Learn tips for staying healthy and meeting your health needs as you age.

Breadcrumb

Home
Pathogen

Print
Feedback
Email a link

Pathogen

Pathogen

A pathogen is a living organism that causes disease. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Current as of: October 31, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Christine Hahn MD - Epidemiology & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

About This Page General Feedback Email Link Physical Activity Services

We appreciate your feedback. Comments submitted through the form below can help us fix errors in page content, get rid of interface bugs, and update the HealthLinkBC website to better suit the needs of the people who use it.

To submit feedback about this web page, please enter your comments, suggestions, compliments or questions in the form below. To submit general feedback about the HealthLink BC website, please click on the General Feedback tab.

Page

Feedback Regarding:

Content

Functionality

Message:

Your name:

Your email:

Do you want a reply?

Yes

No

Leave this field blank

To submit general feedback about the HealthLink BC website, please enter your comments, suggestions, compliments or questions in the form below. To submit feedback about a specific web page, please click on the About This Page tab.

Please note that we are unable to provide general health information or advice about symptoms by email. For general health information or symptom advice, please call us at 8-1-1 any time of the day or night.

For questions about food and nutrition, please click on Email a HealthLinkBC Dietitian.

What is your message about?

Message:

Your name:

Your email:

Leave this field blank

To share this link, enter the information below and click on the "submit" button.

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

To (email):

From (name)

Message:

Leave this field blank

There are many ways you can add physical activity to your healthy lifestyle, no matter your age or activity level. Ask us your physical activity question. Physical activity related questions will be answered by one of HealthLink BC’s qualified exercise professionals.

To submit your question about physical activity, please complete the form below.

For questions not related to physical activity, please use the General Feedback tab.

indicates required fields

Terms and Conditions

Please read and accept our Terms and Conditions.

I accept.

Consent

You may be sharing personal information when you submit this form. Consent is required to receive a reply. Please confirm that you are providing consent to receive a reply from physical activity services with your non-encrypted personal information submitted in the email below, and that you understand and accept the risks of sending / receiving your personal information through email. Please do not submit personal information or requests on behalf of someone else unless you are the parent or guardian of a minor who is incapable of acting on their own behalf.

I consent.

Your name:

Your email (Please make sure the email address you have entered is accurate)

Please select one of the following:

Female

Male

Age (in years)

Postal Code (no space)

Enter your physical activity question here:

Leave this field blank

Is It An Emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.

If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

Thanks to our partners and endorsers:

Northern Health

British Columbia College of Family Physicians

Provincial Health Services Authority

Vancouver Coastal Health

British Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BC

College of Pharmacists of British Columbia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

Fraser Health Authority

College of Dietitians of British Columbia

Interior Health

College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia

BC Centre for Disease Control

Footer menu

Home
About HealthLink BC
About Gov.BC.CA
Disclaimer
Privacy
Accessibility
Copyright
Contact Us
Translated Resources

Call 8-1-1 for 24/7 health advice

Call 8-1-1 toll-free in B.C., or for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1 (TTY). For VRS, visit Video Relay Services to sign up and give them the number 604-215-5101 to call us.

You can speak with a health service navigator, who can also connect you with a:

registered nurse any time, every day of the year
registered dietitian from 9am to 5pm PT, Monday to Friday
qualified exercise professional from 9am to 5pm PT, Monday to Friday
pharmacist from 5pm to 9am PT, every day of the year

Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.