The speed and intensity with which a microorganism is likely to cause an infection

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Virulence refers to the degree of pathogenicity of a microorganism, which is determined by its ability to cause disease in a host organism. This includes factors such as how easily the microorganism can enter the host, how quickly it can replicate, and how severe the symptoms it causes are. A highly virulent microorganism will typically cause a more intense and faster-spreading infection than a less virulent one. Innate immunity and the acute inflammatory response are components of the host's immune response, while acquired immunity refers to the development of immunity to a specific pathogen over time.

The Speed and Intensity with Which a Microorganism Is Likely