Co-morbid conditions can be caused by the same immortal pathogen, when the pathogen spreads to a different part of the body. Pathogens can have a predilection for a particular type of tissue or particular organ; and the route of acquisition may impact what tissue and organs are attacked. Treating one chronic disease may also treat a co-morbid disease. For instance, cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration can both be caused by chlamydia pneumonia damaging the endothelium of blood vessels; thus, treating chronic chlamydia pneumonia may help both cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration.
Co-morbid conditions can be a clue to the root infectious pathogens causing chronic diseases, because the pathogen(s) must be capable of reaching the tissue and/or organ, and of causing both chronic diseases. Co-morbid conditions are often seen by different specialties, which can limit the ability of practitioners to recognize the common cause of co-morbid conditions and may result in the patient being given conflicting medications.
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