GERMS

Avery Holcombe, Wendy Harp, Amber Bozeman and Renee McCloud

Germs are everywhereThey live on your skin, in your mouth, on your hair, and on your clothes

Germs love places that are wet and warm

Most germs are transferred from place to place on people’s hands

Germs

Germs are found all over the world, in all kinds of places. The four major types of germs are: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. They can invade plants, animals, and people, and sometimes they make us sick.

Types of Germs

SneezingCoughing Not washing your hands

Drinking after others

How Germs Spread

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze— throw the tissue away after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

How to prevent germs from spreading

Avoid close contact. When you are sick, keep your distance from

others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work, school, and

errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Good Health Habits

Resources Ollhoff, J. (1959). What are germs? . Edina,

MN: ADBO Publishing.

www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm

www.kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/germs.html