Germs: Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, Mushrooms, Helminths and Infections

Germs: be informed and protect yourself against bacteria, viruses and infections

Learn about how germs work and what you can do to protect yourself.

 

Germs live everywhere. You can find germs (germs) in the air, food, plants, animals, soil, and water, and on almost all other surfaces, including your body.

Most germs won't hurt you. Your immune system protects you against infectious agents. However, some germs are difficult enemies because they continually mutate to overcome your immune system's defenses. Knowing how germs work can increase your chances of avoiding infection.

Infectious Agents: From Bacteria to Worms

Infectious agents exist in many shapes and sizes. The categories are as follows:

·         bacteria

·         Virus

·         Mushrooms

·         protozoa

·         Helminths

Bacteria

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can only be seen under a microscope. They are so small that if you lined up a thousand of them end to end, they could fit on the end of a pencil eraser.

Not all bacteria are harmful, and some bacteria that live in your body are helpful. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus, a harmless bacteria that resides in the intestines, helps digest food, destroys some disease-causing organisms, and provides nutrients.

Many of the bacteria that cause disease produce toxins, which are powerful chemicals that damage cells and make you sick. Other bacteria can directly invade and damage tissues. Some infections caused by bacteria include:

·         Strep throat

·         Tuberculosis

·         Infections of the urinary tract

Virus

Viruses are much smaller than cells. In fact, viruses are basically just capsules that contain genetic material. To reproduce, viruses invade the cells of the body, taking over the machinery that makes the cells work. Host cells are usually destroyed during this process.

Viruses are responsible for causing many diseases, including:

·         AIDS

·         Common cold

·         Ebola

·         Genital herpes

·         Flu

·         Measles

·         Chickenpox and shingles

·         Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Antibiotics designed for bacteria have no effect on viruses.

Mushrooms

There are many varieties of mushrooms, and several of them are edible. Edible mushrooms are fungi, as is the mold that forms the blue or green lines on some kinds of cheese. And yeast, another type of fungus, is a necessary ingredient in most different types of bread.

Other fungi can cause disease. One example is candida, a yeast that can cause infections. Candida can cause thrush, an infection of the mouth and throat, in babies and in people who take antibiotics or who have a malfunctioning immune system. Fungi are also responsible for skin conditions such as athlete's foot and ringworm.

Protozoa

Protozoa are single-celled organisms that behave like tiny animals, hunting and gathering other microbes for food. Many protozoa live in your intestinal tract and are harmless. Others cause diseases, such as the following:

·         Giardiasis

·         Malaria

·         Toxoplasmosis

Protozoa often spend part of their life cycle outside of humans or other hosts, living on food, soil, water, or insects. Some protozoa invade your body through the food you eat or the water you drink. Others, like malaria protozoa, invade the body through mosquito bites.

Helminths

Helminths are among the largest parasites. The word "helminth" derives from the Greek word meaning worm. If these parasites or their eggs enter your body, they lodge in your intestinal tract, lungs, liver, skin, or brain, where they live off your body's nutrients. Helminths include tapeworms and roundworms.

Difference Between Infection and Disease

There is a difference between an infection and a disease. Infection, often the first step, occurs when disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or other microbes enter the body and begin to multiply. Disease occurs when cells in the body are damaged (as a result of infection) and signs and symptoms of a condition develop.

In response to infection, the immune system springs into action. An army of white blood cells, antibodies, and other mechanisms go to work to rid the body of whatever is causing the infection. For example, to defend against a cold, the body is likely to react with fever, cough, and sneezing.

Prevention against germs and infections

                            

What is the best way to not get sick? Prevent infections. You can prevent many infections and prevent their spread through simple tactics like these:

·         Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·         Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

·         Avoid touching your face.

·         Stay home if you are sick.

·         Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

·         Avoid contaminated food and water.

You can also prevent infections by:

·         Hand washing. It's often overlooked that washing your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from germs and most infections. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands before preparing or eating food, after coughing or sneezing, after changing a diaper, and after going to the bathroom. When you don't have soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels with at least 60% alcohol can offer protection.

·         Vaccines. Vaccination is your best weapon of defense against certain diseases. As researchers better understand the causes of disease, the number of vaccine-preventable diseases continues to grow. Many vaccines are given in childhood. However, adults still need vaccinations to prevent some diseases, such as tetanus, the flu, and COVID-19.

·         Medicines. Some medicines offer short-term protection against certain germs. For example, taking a deworming medication can prevent you from getting malaria if you travel to or live in a high-risk area.

 

When to seek medical attention

Seek medical attention if you suspect you have an infection and have experienced the following:

·         A bite from an animal or human.

·         Difficulty breathing.

·         A cough that lasts more than a week.

·         periods of rapid heartbeat

·         A rash, especially if accompanied by a fever.

·         Swelling.

·         Blurred vision or other trouble seeing.

·         Constant vomiting.

·         An unusual or severe headache.

Your health care provider may run diagnostic tests to find out if you're infected, how serious the infection is, and how best to treat that infection.