a pathogen is an organism or particle that can cause a disease.
fungi, protoctista, bacteria and viruses all have the capability to cause diseases. such as:
fungi-athletes foot
proctoctista-malaria
bacteria- pneumonia
virus- HIV, influenza, COVID-19, tobacco mosiac virus
virus do not carry out some of the key processes to be considered 'alive', which is why they are considered particles. they are smaller than bacteria and are always parasitic, and they have the ability to infect every type of living cells