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What Are Germs?

The term 'germs' is used to refer to the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease.

It's a good idea to learn about the different types of germs, where they come from, and how to keep them from interfering with your child's health. Hand washing is the single most important thing you and your child can do from keeping any of these germs from leading to infections and sickness.

Types of Germs
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that get nutrients from their environments. In some cases, that environment is your child or some other living being. Some bacteria are good for your child's body - they help keep the digestive system in working order and keep harmful bacteria from moving in. Some bacteria are used to produce medicines and vaccines. But bacteria can cause trouble, too, like cavities, urinary tract infections, or strep throat.

Viruses can't survive, grow, and reproduce unless your child, another person, or an animal puts up rental space. Viruses can only live for a very short time outside other living cells. For example, they can stay on surfaces like a countertop or toilet seat in infected bodily fluids for a short period of time, but they quickly die there unless a live host comes along. Once they've moved into your child's body, though, viruses spread easily and can make your child sick. Viruses are responsible for some minor sicknesses like colds or chickenpox as well as extremely serious diseases like smallpox or HIV/AIDS.

Fungi are multi-celled, plant-like organisms that usually aren't dangerous in a healthy person. Fungi get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments. Two common fungal infections include athlete's foot and yeast infections. People who have weakened immune systems (from diseases like HIV or cancer) may develop more serious fungal infections.

Protozoa are one-celled organisms like bacteria. Protozoa love moisture, so intestinal infections and other diseases they cause are often spread through contaminated water.

Once organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa invade your child's body, they get ready to stay for a while. These germs draw all their energy from the host. They may damage or destroy healthy cells. As they use up your nutrients and energy, most will produce waste products, known as toxins.

Some toxins cause the annoying symptoms of common colds or flu-like infections, such as sniffles, sneezing, coughing, and diarrhea. But other toxins can cause high fever, increased heart rate, and even life-threatening illness. If your child isn't feeling well, the doctor may take blood tests, throat cultures, or urine samples to determine which germs (if any) are making your child sick.

How Can I Protect My Child From Germs?
Because most germs are spread through the air in sneezes or coughs or through bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, or blood, your best bet is to limit your child's contact with those substances, as far as possible.

Hand washing. Washing your hands, and teaching your child the importance of hand washing, is absolutely the best way to stop germs from making your child sick. It's especially important after coughing or nose blowing, after using the bathroom, after touching any pets or animals, after gardening, and before and after visiting a sick relative or friend.

There's a right way to wash hands, too. Use warm water and plenty of soap, then rub your hands together vigorously for at least 10 seconds (away from the water). You may want to sing a short song - try "Happy Birthday" - during the process to make sure you spend enough time washing. Rinse your hands and finish by drying them thoroughly on a clean towel.

When you and your child are working in the kitchen, wash your hands before you eat or prepare food, and make sure that your child does the same. Be sure to use proper food-handling techniques, like using separate cutting boards, utensils, and towels for preparing uncooked meat and poultry, and use warm, soapy water to clean utensils and countertops.

Cleaning. It's a good idea to periodically wipe down frequently handled objects around the house, such as toys, doorknobs, light switches, sink fixtures, and flushing handles on the toilets. Soap and water are perfectly adequate for cleaning. If you want something stronger, you may want to try an antibacterial soap. It may not kill all the germs that can lead to sickness but it can reduce the amount of bacteria on an object. You can also use bleach or a diluted solution that contains bleach, but you may want to use soap and water afterwards so that the strong smell doesn't irritate your child's nose.

It's generally safe to use any cleaning agent that's sold in stores but try to avoid using multiple cleaning agents or chemical sprays on a single object because the mix of chemicals may irritate your child's skin or eyes.

Vaccines. Another way to fight infections from germs is to make sure you and your child have the right immunizations, especially if you'll be traveling to countries outside the United States. Other yearly immunizations, such as the flu vaccine, may be a particularly good idea if you or your child has a weakened immune system or other chronic medical problems.

If you have a teen who is sexually active, it's important that your teen understand that condoms can prevent infection because viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa can be spread via oral, anal, or vaginal contact. Also, all teens should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. This disease is often transmitted through sexual activity but people also can get it from contaminated needles, such as those used for tattooing or drugs.

With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your child's way!