1. GERMS

2. 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

3. Types of Germs / Microbes
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protozoa
Helminths

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. What is the best way to protect yourself ?

8. 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

9. fungi

10. protozoa Single cell organism
Some are harmless and live in our intestines
Harmful = Giardia, Malaria

11. Helminth
Can enter your body, take up residence in your intestinal tract, lungs, liver, skin, brain through nymph stage or larval/egg stage

12. 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

13. Stay healthy !