Meet the Germs: The Tiny Invaders That Make Us Sick

Have you ever wondered why you get sick? Or why sometimes you have a runny nose and cough, and other times your tummy hurts? The answer is “germs!” Let’s learn about them and how you can stay healthy.

What Are Germs?

Germs are tiny organisms that live all around us. They’re so small that you can’t see them with your eyes—you need a microscope! There are four main types of germs, and all of them can sneak into our bodies and make us sick. Here’s what you need to know about germs:

• Bacteria (bak-TEER-ee-uh): Bacteria can be good or bad. Some good bacteria live in your stomach and help you digest food, but bad bacteria can be found on spoiled food, animals, or things we touch, and can make us sick.

• Viruses (VY-ruh-sees): Viruses are the smallest type of germ. They cause illnesses like colds, the flu, and stomach bugs. Some viruses even come from food and can make your tummy hurt.

• Fungi (FUN-guy): Fungi grow in warm, damp places, and can cause rashes on your skin. Doctors can give you medicine or cream to help with this.

• Protozoa (proh-toh-ZOH-uh): These tiny creatures live in water. They can get into your body if you drink contaminated water, like from puddles or lakes.

How Do Germs Make You Sick?

Germs are sneaky! Some germs float in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. They can land on things we touch, like tables, toys, and doorknobs. Then, we touch those things and spread germs to other things, making it easy for germs to get into our bodies.

When germs are on your hands, they can get inside your body through your nose or mouth if you touch your face. Sometimes, they can also get in from food or drinks that are contaminated.

Once inside your body, the germs start to grow and make a "germ army" that spreads throughout your body. But don’t worry! Your body has its own defense system called the immune system, and it knows how to fight off germs. That’s why you start to feel better—your immune system is winning the battle!

How Can You Stop Germs From Spreading?

You can do simple things every day to stop germs from spreading and keep yourself healthy!

• Wash your hands often: Use soap and water, and scrub for about 20 seconds—that’s as long as singing “Happy Birthday” twice! Be sure to wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after sneezing or coughing.

• Cover your cough or sneeze: Use a tissue or your elbow to keep germs from spreading. When you sneeze into a tissue, throw it away to stop germs from flying around!

• Don’t share personal items: It’s fun to share toys, but don’t share things like toothbrushes, food, or cups. These items can carry germs that might make someone else sick.

• Don’t eat or drink old food: Those leftover french fries you found in the car? They’re probably not safe to eat! Ask an adult to help check food labels to make sure it's fresh and safe.

Stay Healthy and Keep Germs Away!

Germs are tiny but tricky, and they’re good at getting into our bodies. But now you know where they hide and how to stop them from spreading! Keep up the great work, germ fighter!