Germs, or microbes, are everywhere — in the air, soil and water, and on and in your body. Most are harmless, and some are helpful. But some make you sick. Diseases caused by germs are infectious diseases.
Four kinds of germs
| Germ | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | one-celled germs that multiply quickly; some release toxins, harmful chemicals that make you sick | strep throat, urinary tract infections |
| Viruses | tiny capsules of genetic material that invade your cells to multiply, killing, damaging or changing them | HIV, the common cold |
| Fungi | primitive plant-like organisms: mushrooms, mold, mildew, yeasts | athlete's foot, yeast infections |
| Parasites | animals or plants that live on or in other living things | malaria, head lice |
How you catch them
- Direct contact with a sick person: kissing, touching, sneezing, coughing, sex. A pregnant woman can pass some germs to her fetus.
- Indirect contact: touching something with germs on it, such as a door handle a sick person touched.
- Insect or animal bites.
- Contaminated food, water, soil or plants.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms range from so mild you don't notice to life-threatening. Some infections have treatments — antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and anti-parasitic medicines. For others, including some viral infections, you can only treat the symptoms while your immune system fights the germ off.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated.
- Wash your hands often.
- Follow food safety.
- Avoid contact with wild animals.
- Use a latex condom every time you have sex; if you or your partner is allergic to latex, use polyurethane.
- Don't share toothbrushes, combs or straws.
Sources
Based on "Infectious Diseases," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
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