Should we learn about the germs that make us sick even though we can't see them?

Do you sometimes think, 'Why do I keep getting sick?'? Some diseases spread very quickly, don't they? The main reason for this is tiny creatures that we can't see with our eyes. We call these 'germs'. To be precise, these are the ones that make us sick. So today, let's talk about what these germs are, how they make us sick, and how to protect ourselves from them.

What are these germs that make us sick?

Simply put, 'germs' are a group of very small organisms that are invisible to our eyes. They mainly include four groups : Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Protozoa . These are the ones that enter our bodies and cause various diseases.

The best way to avoid germs - wash your hands!

Now, the best and simplest way to protect yourself from these germs and prevent illness is to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. Washing your hands properly with soap and water will prevent most of these germs from entering your body. Remember, this is very important!

First, let's talk about bacteria.

Bacteria are very small, single-celled organisms. They get their nutrition from the environment they live in. Not all bacteria are bad, as you might think. Some bacteria are very good for our bodies. For example, some bacteria in our intestines help with the digestion process. Think about it, when we eat yogurt, these types of good bacteria enter our bodies. They also stop bad bacteria from settling in our bodies. Another thing is, these bacteria are also used to make some medicines and vaccines . However, some bacteria can also cause us problems. These bad bacteria are the ones that cause cavities in your teeth, urinary tract infections, ear infections, or strep throat. We use antibiotics to treat these types of bacterial infections.

Next, let's see what viruses are.

Viruses are even smaller than bacteria. In fact, they are not even complete cells . A virus is just a piece of genetic material (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a protein coat . Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot live alone or divide on their own. Like robbers, they force their way into another cell and use that cell's resources to make more viruses of their own. They need parts of another cell to grow, that is, reproduce. That is, for a virus to survive, it must be inside another living organism, such as a human, animal, or plant. Viruses can only survive for a very short time outside another living organism. Imagine, if the viruses in a bodily fluid from an infected person are on a table or a toilet seat, they can stay there for a while. However, if they don't find another host soon, they will die. However, once inside someone's body, viruses can spread very easily and make that person sick. These viruses cause minor illnesses like colds , common illnesses like flu , and even more serious illnesses like smallpox and HIV/AIDS . One thing to remember is that antibiotics do not work against viruses . There are several special types of medicines called antiviral medicines that are designed to treat viral infections, but not all viruses, but only a select few.

Let's talk about fungi now.

Let's talk about fungi. (This is pronounced 'fun-guy'). Fungi are multicellular, meaning they are made up of many cells, and are similar to plants. Fungi get their nutrition from plants, food, and animals in warm, moist environments. These fungi often live in damp, dark places, sometimes in the folds of our skin, and that's how they cause infections. Most of the time, fungal infections like 'athlete's foot' (also called ringworm) or 'yeast infections' are not very dangerous for a healthy person. However, for people who are immunocompromised due to diseases like HIV or cancer, some fungal infections can be a little more serious. Therefore, people with low immunity should be especially careful about this.

Finally, let's see who Protozoa are.

Finally, let's look at what Protozoa are. (This is pronounced 'pro-to-zo-ah'). Protozoa are single-celled organisms like bacteria. However, they are slightly larger than bacteria. Also, their cells have a nucleus and other cellular structures inside them. Therefore, they are a little more similar to plant and animal cells. Protozoa are very fond of moisture . Therefore, the intestinal infections and other diseases they cause, for example , amebiasis and giardiasis , are often spread through dirty, that is, contaminated water. That is why we should always drink boiled water. We should avoid drinking water from places where the cleanliness is not known. Some protozoa are parasites. That means that in order to survive, they need to live on or inside another organism, such as another animal or plant. For example, the protozoa that cause malaria grow inside our red blood cells. They eventually destroy those cells. Some protozoa are covered in a protective shell called a 'cyst'. This allows them to survive for long periods of time outside the human body, even in adverse environmental conditions.

So, what are the most important things we should remember from this story? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so I hope you now have a better understanding of these germs we talked about today.

The most important thing is that the best way to protect yourself from these invisible little enemies is to stay clean.

Remember these things:

• Wash your hands often: Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing, after petting animals, and after returning home from outside.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze: either with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. This will reduce the spread of germs to others.
• Food Safety : Wash your hands before and after preparing food. Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating. Cook meat, fish , and eggs thoroughly.
• Personal hygiene: Washing your body daily and wearing clean clothes are also very important.
• Stay home if you are sick: If you have a cold or flu, it is best to stay home to avoid infecting others.

If we follow these little things properly, we can stay healthy and avoid many diseases caused by these germs. So, you should also take care of these, right?

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Germs, Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Protozoa, Handwashing, Infections