GERMS
TYPES OF GERMS
GERMS
GERM THEORY OF DISEASE
GERMS LINKS
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SECTION 1
GERMS
Our bodies are pretty amazing. Day after day, they work hard
digesting food, pumping blood and oxygen, sending signals from
our brains and much more.
But there is a group of tiny invaders that can make our bodies
sick — they're called germs.
Some kids may think that germs are bugs or cooties or other gross
stuff. Actually, germs are tiny organisms, or living things, that
can cause disease. Germs are so small and sneaky that they creep
into our bodies without being noticed. In fact, germs are so tiny
that you need to use a microscope to see them. When they get in
our bodies, we don't know what hit us until we have symptoms that
say we've been attacked!
What Types of Germs Are There?
Germs are found all over the world, in all kinds of places.
The four major types of germs are:
bacteria
viruses
fungi
protozoa
They can invade plants, animals, and people, and sometimes they
can make us sick.
Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, one-celled creatures that get nutrients from their
environments in order to live. In some cases that environment is a
human body. Bacteria can reproduce outside of the body or within the
body as they cause infections. Some infections that bacteria can cause
include ear infections, sore throats (tonsillitis or strep throat),
cavities, and pneumonia.
But not all bacteria are bad. Some bacteria are good for our bodies —
they help keep things in balance. Good bacteria live in our intestines
and help us use the nutrients in the food we eat and make waste from
what's left over. We couldn't make the most of a healthy meal without
these important helper germs! Some bacteria are also used by scientists
in labs to produce medicines and vaccines.
Viruses
Viruses need to be inside living cells to grow and reproduce. Most viruses
can't survive very long if they're not inside a living thing like a plant,
animal, or person. Whatever a virus lives in is called its host. When
viruses get inside people's bodies, they can spread and make people sick.
Viruses cause chickenpox, measles, flu, and many other diseases. Because
some viruses can live for a short time on something like a doorknob or
countertop, be sure to wash your hands regularly!
Fungi
Fungi are multi-celled (made of many cells), plant-like organisms. Unlike
other plants, fungi cannot make their own food from soil, water, and air.
Instead, fungi get their nutrition from plants, people, and animals. They
love to live in damp, warm places, and many fungi are not dangerous in
healthy people. An example of something caused by fungi is athlete's foot,
that itchy rash that teens and adults sometimes get between their toes.
Protozoa
Protozoa are one-cell organisms that love moisture and often spread diseases
through water. Some protozoa cause intestinal infections that lead to diarrhea,
nausea, and belly pain.
What Do Germs Do?
Once germs invade our bodies, they snuggle in for a long stay. They gobble
up nutrients and energy, and can produce toxins (say: TOK-sinz), which are
proteins that act like poisons. Those toxins can cause symptoms of common
infections, like fevers, sniffles, rashes, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How do doctors figure out what germs are doing? They take a closer look.
By looking at samples of blood, pee, and other fluids under a microscope
or sending these samples to a laboratory for more tests, doctors can tell
which germs are living in your body and how they are making you sick.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Germs?
Most germs are spread through the air in sneezes, coughs, or even breaths.
Germs can also spread in sweat, saliva, and blood. Some pass from person
to person by touching something that is contaminated, like shaking hands
with someone who has a cold and then touching your own nose.
Steering clear of the things that can spread germs is the best way to
protect yourself. And that means . . .
Hand washing! Remember the words that germs fear — soap and water. Washing
your hands well and often is the best way to beat these tiny warriors. Wash
your hands every time you cough or sneeze, before you eat or prepare foods,
after you use the bathroom, after you touch animals and pets, after you play
outside, and after you visit a sick relative or friend.
There is a right way to wash your hands. Use warm water and soap and rub your
hands together for at least 15 seconds, which is about how long it takes to
sing "Happy Birthday."
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cover your mouth when you cough
to keep from spreading germs. So if you have to cough, it is best to do it in
your elbow so you are not contaminating your hands.
Using tissues for your sneezes and sniffles is another great weapon against
germs. But don't just throw tissues on the floor to pick up later. Toss them
in the trash and, again, wash your hands!
Another way to fight and prevent infections is to make sure you get all the
routine immunizations from your doctor. No one likes to get shots but these
help keep your immune system strong and prepared to battle germs. You can
also keep your immune system strong and healthy by eating well, exercising
regularly, and getting good sleep. All this will help you to be prepared to
fight germs that cause illness.
Now that you know the facts about germs, you may still pick up a cough or
a cold once in a while, but you'll be ready to keep most of those invading
germs from moving in.
Germs
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/germs.html
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SECTION 2
GERM THEORY
OF DISEASE
The germ theory of disease is the currently accepted scientific theory
of disease. It states that many diseases are caused by microorganisms.
These small organisms, too small to see without magnification, invade
humans, animals, and other living hosts. Their growth and reproduction
within their hosts can cause a disease. "Germ" may refer to not just a
bacterium but to any type of microorganism, especially one which causes
disease, such as protists, fungi, viruses, prions, or viroids.
Microorganisms that cause disease are called pathogens, and the diseases
they cause are called infectious diseases. Even when a pathogen is the
principal cause of a disease, environmental and hereditary factors often
influence the severity of the disease, and whether a potential host
individual becomes infected when exposed to the pathogen.
Germ theory of disease
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germ_theory_of_disease
Infection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection
Microbiology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbiology
5 Types of Bacteria
That Live on Your Skin
https://www.thoughtco.com/bacteria-that-live-on-your-skin-373528
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SECTION 3
GERMS
LINKS
14 Germs That Live in (and on!)
You—That You Definitely Couldn’t Live without
https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/gut-bacteria-germs-cant-live-without/
34 Amazing and Interesting Facts about Germs
http://amazingfacts4u.com/germs/
Bacteriology
https://www.britannica.com/science/bacteriology
Can Germs Be Good for You?
https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/can-germs-be-good-for-you
GERMS
https://www.kidsdiscover.com/shop/issues/germs-for-kids/
GERMS
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/in-depth/germs/art-20045289
GERMS
http://www.creatingtechnology.org/biomed/germs.htm
Germs and disease
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l~ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l-ch1~ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l-ch1.4
Germs For Kids
https://www.care.com/c/stories/4211/germs-for-kids-teaching-children-about-germs/en-gb/
Germs! Germs! Germs!
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/germs-germs-germs-by-bobbi-katz/
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Germs and Hygiene
https://medlineplus.gov/germsandhygiene.html
Germ Studies
http://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/studies-surveys-infographics/germ-studies
Germ Theory
http://broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/techniques/germtheory
Germ Theory Timeline
http://germtheorytimeline.info/
Germs: Understand and protect against bacteria, viruses and infection
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/in-depth/germs/art-20045289
Good vs. Bad Germs
https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/good-bad-germs#1
The history of germ theory
https://bigpictureeducation.com/history-germ-theory
Is Dirt Good for Kids?
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/kids-and-dirt-germs#1
The Journey of a Germ
http://pbskids.org/video/sid-science-kid/1568872183
Microbiology and the Spread of Germs
https://tuttnauer.com/blog/autoclave-sterilization/microbiology-and-the-spread-of-germs
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Teaching Kids about Germs
https://carrotsareorange.com/teaching-kids-germs/
A Theory of Germs
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK24649/
The Three Types of Germs and How to Fight Them
https://www.cleansmarthome.com/cleansmart-blog/index.php/the-three-types-of-germs-and-how-to-fight-them/
Types of Germs
https://www.aschersjanitorial.com/janitorial/types-of-germs/
Types of Germs
http://www.cleaningexpert.co.uk/thegermsoutthere.html
What's a Germ?
http://sciencenetlinks.com/student-teacher-sheets/whats-germ/
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Human Body
http://amazingfacts4u.com/category/human-body/
Amazing Facts 4 U
http://amazingfacts4u.com/
Hesperian Health Guides
http://hesperian.org/
New Health Advisor
http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/
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World Life Expectancy
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/
Medicine Net
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp
Medtube
https://medtube.net/
Medical Scientific animations
http://medical-animation-studio.com/MedicalAnimation.html
U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/
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