What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pathogen
Example
The pathogen responsible for the outbreak was identified as a new strain of bacteria. [pathogen: noun]
Example
The lab is studying the pathogenic effects of various microorganisms on human cells. [pathogenic: adjective]
virus
Example
The flu virus mutates every year, making it difficult to develop an effective vaccine. [virus: noun]
Example
The doctor prescribed antiviral medication to treat the patient's viral infection. [viral: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Virus is more commonly used than pathogen in everyday language, especially in the context of infectious diseases and outbreaks. Pathogen is a more technical term that is commonly used in scientific and medical fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pathogen and virus?
Pathogen is a more formal term than virus, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
