What term is used for disease-causing microorganisms?

The term that encompasses disease-causing microorganisms is "pathogens." Pathogens are a broad category that includes various types of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that can cause disease in a host. This term is crucial in the context of public health and medicine, as it encapsulates all entities that can lead to infections and diseases.

While viruses and bacteria can indeed be pathogens, they represent only two specific categories within the larger group. Infections, on the other hand, refer to the process or the state of being invaded by these pathogens but do not describe the microorganisms themselves. Using "pathogens" is more precise and scientifically accurate when referring to the microorganisms responsible for causing diseases.