The term " germ'' encompasses an army of tiny terrors, including viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria. These "pathogens" all have the ability to spread from victim to victim ( called a host). Germs are so small you can see them only through a microscope. They look like spiky blobs, oozing spirals, hairy hot dogs, or other microscopic monsters.
WHY ARE GERMS BAD FOR US?
These microorganisms hitch a ride into our bodies on the food we eat, in the air we breathe, or through various other methods. Once they've invaded our personal spaces, germs reproduce and create toxic waste, triggering our body's most repulsive reactions. They make us sniffle, upchuck, run to the toilet, break out in rashes and fevers, and suffer even more unpleasant symptoms.
HOW DO WE GET SICK FROM...Viruses?
Most viruses are frail little things ( unlike bacteria and fungi, viruses aren't even alive) that can multiply only inside a living host ( including animals, plants, and even bacteria). There they spread, overwhelming and attacking the host's immune system and causing all sorts of nasty symptoms. Colds, flu, chickenpox, immune disorders, and measles are caused by viruses. Among the worst is Ebola, which triggers bleeding and is fatal to more than half the people who catch it.
Fungi?
Fungi are microscopic molds, yeasts, and other plantlike pathogens that thrive in wet, warm places like our armpits, belly buttons, and the dank spaces between our toes. They feed on our sweat and dead tissues and produce stinky wastes that irritate our skin.
Parasites?
Parasites depend on a living host for their survival. They sneak into our bodies in tainted water and food, causing us all sorts of gastro-intestinal gripes: diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomachs, and worse. Malaria - a common disease that causes chills, shaking, and fevers- is spread by parasites passed in mosquito bites. This ghastly germ group includes itty-bitty insect larvae, amoebas, and one-celled organisms called protozoa that live in nasty food, damp soil, or dirty water. These life-sucking relationships are often the stuff of nightmares.
Bacteria?
Unlike viruses, bacteria are living single-celled organisms that can reproduce both outside and inside the body. Like all living things, bacteria create waste - microscopic poops that can act as poison inside the host. You can blame sore throats, ear infections, and tooth-tartar buildup on bacteria. One of the most famous bacteria is Escherichia coli. This rod-shaped micro believes deep in your intestines, the body's busiest bacterial neighborhood. Harmful ones make you puke for days. Helpful E.coli strains produce an important vitamin. That's right - some bacteria are actually good for you!
HOW MANY BACTERIA ARE INSIDE OUR BODIES RIGHT NOW?
Your body is built of trillions of itty-bitty living blobs, called cells, that work together to make you. But for every cell you call your own, ten foreign bacteria cluster around or near it. You're a microbe metropolis! Scientists call these communities of foreign bacteria your body's '' flora,'' and no two people host the same mix of microorganisms. In fact, scientists are beginning to think of your flora as just another organ.
That's a lot of bacteria! Can we see any of them?
No, they're microscopic. But we can certainly smell them. Like any living thing, bacteria eat, reproduce, die, and create waste, which can make our life stink - literally! ( Bacteria are the source of bad breath and body odor.)
SMALL WONDERS
The Benefits OF BACTERIA
Our gut reaction might be to wrinkle our nose at the thought of bacteria inside our guts, but it turns out that many so-called good bacteria are essential to our health, the survival of life on Earth, and the making of tasty foods. Beholds, the benefits of our microscopic allies...
Health Boosting
Our body's microbes support our immune system, which fights sickness.
Plant Feeding
Blue-Green algae and other types of bacteria convert the nitrogen in the air into compounds plants can use.
Food Processing
Microbes in our innards play a huge role in the digestive process, helping us absorb nutrients and vitamins from our food.
Food Making
Bacteria are a vital ingredient in the process of turning milk into yogurt and tasty cheeses. The holes in Swiss cheese are created by carbon dioxide bubbles exhaled by bacteria during the cheese-making process.
Planet Cleaning
Bacteria break down dead animals and plants, which ''decompose'' into nutrients for the living.
Most germs are spread through the air in wheezes, hacks, or even breaths. Germs can likewise spread in sweat, spit, and blood. Some pass from one individual to another by contacting something sullied, such as warmly greeting somebody who has a cold and contacting your own nose afterward.
Avoiding the things that can spread germs is simply the ideal approach to ensure. What's more, that implies . . .
Hand washing! Recollect the words that germs dread — cleanser and water. Washing your hands well and regularly is the ideal approach to beat these minuscule fighters. Wash your hands each time you hack or wheeze, before you eat or get ready food varieties, after you utilize the restroom, after you contact creatures and pets, after you play outside, and after you visit a debilitated family member or companion.
There is a correct method to wash your hands. Utilize warm water and cleanser and rub your hands together for something like 15 seconds.
Cover your nose and mouth when you sniffle and when you hack to hold back from spreading germs. So if you need to hack, it is ideal to do it in your elbow, so you are not sullying your hands.
Utilizing tissues for your wheezes and sneezes is another incredible weapon against germs. Throw them in the junk and, once more, wash your hands! Be that as it may, don't simply toss tissues on the floor to get later.
Another approach to battle and forestall contaminations is to ensure you get all of the normal inoculations from your primary care physician. Nobody likes to have chances except for these assist with keeping your safe framework solid and ready to fight germs. Likewise, you can keep your resistant framework solid and sound by eating great, practicing routinely, and getting great rest. This will assist you with being ready to battle germs that cause sickness.
Since you know current realities about germs, you might, in any case, get a hack or a cold on occasion; however you'll be prepared to keep the majority of those attacking germs from moving in.
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