​What are germs?

• ​There are four kinds of germs:

  • ​Bacteria

  • ​Viruses

  • ​Fungi

  • ​Parasites

• ​All of them are different but all of them can make you sick!

​Bacteria

• ​Bacteria is EVERYWHERE and can grow inside and outside of your body

• ​Lots of bacteria can cause sickness like:

  • ​sore throats

  • ​pneumonia

  • cavities

  • ear infections

  • ​food poisoning

• ​You can take antibiotics for a bacterial sicknesses

• ​BUT REMEMBER, not all bacteria is bad. A lot of the bacteria in our bodies keep us healthy.

• ​Some bacteria even helps scientists make vaccines!

​Viruses

• ​Viruses can't grow outside of your body so they only live a short time outside, so wash your hands!

• ​Viruses can cause sicknesses like:

  • ​the flu

  • ​chicken pox

  • ​measels

  • ​COVID 19

• ​Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and can use our cells to make more of themselves, which can make them very dangerous.

• ​Many vaccines have been made for viral infections.

​Fungi

• ​Fungi is much bigger than bacteria and viruses and likes to stay on our skin.

• ​Fungi can cause sickness like:

  • ​athlete's foot

  • ​ring worm

  • ​rashes

• ​Often, fungal infections are very itchy and uncomfortable, but are not too dangerous

• Fungal infections can be treated usually be treated with an ointment.

​Parasites

• ​Parasites love to live in warm wet places and some of them can grow big enough to see with your eyes!

• ​Many kinds of parasites live in water.

• ​If they get into our bodies they can cause:

  • ​stomach pain

  • ​diarrhea

  • ​nausea

• ​Parasites can usually be treated with medicine you can get at a pharmacy or from a doctor.

​Where are the germs?

• ​Germs LOVE dirty places like:

  • Dish sponges

  • The floor

  • Toothbrushes

  • Pe​ts

• ​Germs LOVE places lots of people touch during the day like:

  • Restaurant menus

  • Door Handles

  • Railings