GERMS

GERMS Are EVERYWHERE Air, plants, food, soil, water, all

surfaces Even in our BODIES ! Our immune system protects us

against them except for a few nasties and those microbes that mutate

TYPES OF GERMS / MICROBES Bacteria Viruses Fungi Protozoa Helminths

BACTERIA 1 celled organisms visible only thru

microscope So small that 1,000 bacteria can wrap

themselves around 1 pencil eraser Shapes: rod, sphere, spiral Not all are harmful – only 1% cause

disease Ex: Lactobacillius acidophilus

MRSA Methicillin resistant staphylococcus

aureaus Blamed for 94,000 infections in 2005

and 19,000 deaths Dangerous because it is resistant to

broad spectrum antibiotics Symptoms begin with small red bumps

that get larger + fever + rash + heat + swelling + pus + painful

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Wash Hands !!! Keep Personal Items Personal

Don’t share combs, brushes, razors, jewelry, soap, towels, equipment, headphones, cell phones

Keep open wounds/sores covered with sterile, dry bandage

Shower with soap and water Wash towels, sheets, clothes, uniforms Use antibiotics properly

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF ?

VIRUSES Tiny capsules that hold genetic

material Reproduce by invading cells, injecting

their DNA, killing host cell Antibiotics are INEFFECTIVE Ex: AIDS, Influenza, Ebola, genital

herpes, measles, smallpox

FUNGI

PROTOZOA Single cell organism Some are harmless and live in our

intestines Harmful = Giardia, Malaria

HELMINTH Can enter your body, take up residence

in your intestinal tract, lungs, liver, skin, brain through nymph stage or larval/egg stage

OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM PROTECTS US Except… When to seek

medical care: Animal/human bite Difficulty breathing Cough that lingers

more than one week Fever 100+ Rapid heart rate

Rash that doesn’t go away

Rash + Fever Redness + swelling

+ pain + pus + Fever

Blurred vision Persistent vomit Unusual/severe

headache

STAY HEALTHY !