This week in class we were introduced to microbes and how they can play a role in influencing non-infectious diseases. A brief example we discussed in class was gastric ulcers and gastric cancer. When I think of other non-infectious diseases that are influenced by microbes, malaria is one that comes to mind. We know malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites that carry the pathogen and allow it access into our bloodstream. I know colon cancer is another non-infectious disease that can be influenced by the presence of certain microbes as well. Other than the two diseases I mentioned, I personally do not know what other non-infectious diseases are influenced by microbes. I know there are other non-infectious diseases like shingles, but I am not sure if microbes influence that disease. (as well as others.  This writing exercise was personally one of the few times I considered the distinctions between infectious v.s non-infectious diseases. I think subconsciously I group all diseases together even though I know there are differences with how it is passed on, treatments, and cures. I am excited to learn and discuss more about non-infectious diseases and what influences them because this writing assignment made me realize I do not know as much about non-infectious diseases as I thought I did. I am also looking forward to learning about these non-infectious and microbes’ influence on them because I know it will be relevant to my future career field.