What are Germs?

1. What are Germs? Germs are tiny living things that make you sick.

2. Most germs are microscopic • That means that they are so small you must have a microscope to see them • Some examples of germs are: • Bacteria • Viruses • Fungi • Protozoa • Worms

3. Bacteria • Bacteria are very simple, one-celled organisms that live almost anywhere. • Some bacteria are helpful like the kind that makes yogurt. Other bacteria are harmful and can make you sick.

4. Pictures of Bacteria and the Diseases They Cause: Food Poisoning Strep Throat

5. Viruses • Viruses are even smaller than bacteria, most are harmful and make you sick. • They must live inside another cell to survive. The cell that the virus lives in is called a host cell. • Most viruses can not live outside their host cell.

6. Pictures of Viruses and the Diseases They Cause Flu Virus Cold Virus

7. Fungi • Are multi-celled organisms that look like plants. • They can not make their own food like a plant can. • They like to live in cool, moist and dark places.

8. Pictures of Fungi and the Diseases They Cause Thrush-throat infection Athlete’s Foot

9. Protozoa • Are single –celled organisms that live in water. • They are very small and sometimes make you sick.

10. Pictures of Protozoa and the Diseases They Cause Amoeba-causes an upset stomach Malaria-carried by a mosquito and makes people very sick

11. Worms • Some worms are parasitic which means it is harmful to it’s host.

12. Pictures of Parasitic worms Pinworm

13. Pictures of illnesses caused by germs Small Pox Strep Throat Chicken Pox Hookworm

14. Jaundice from Hepatitis More Pictures Thrush Mumps Measles

15. Ways to Prevent Getting Sick • Wash your hands • Eat a balanced meal • Stay away from sick people • Get plenty of rest • Exercise • Immunizations