1 Germs Are Everywhere

Germs Are Everywhere

Too Small to See Look around the room. What is the smallest thing you can see? Try to imagine something even smaller. Germs are so itty-bitty that we can't spot them with our eyes alone. They are all around us all the time!

Meet the Germs Let's meet three main types of germs. Nice to meet you. I'm a bacterium (bak-TEER-ee-uhm). Most of my bacteria friends are good, but some cause problems! Hey there! I'm a virus. Sorry, but viruses and humans don't always get along. Hi, I'm a fungus. Some of my fungi friends are nice. Others are troublemakers.

You Make Me Sick! Most germs around us are safe, but some can be bad for us. If those germs get into our bodies they can make us feel sick. Sorry about that... Germs can make you sneeze or have a runny nose. Some may even make your stomach upset. GURGLE! Stomach GURGLE! Not all of us germs cause problems! I'm out to get you!

Getting Around Germs are everywhere. They spread in many different ways. How can they move? Through the air In water On surfaces From one person's hand to another's Wheeee! How do you get around? Oh, that's easy for me! It's easy? Sure! You humans shoot me and my friends out of your noses all the time. I can also ride around in water or blow from place to place in the wind.

At Home There are germs around us at home. Where can we find them? Light Switches Anywhere you touch often gets germs! Germs can move from your hand to a switch after turning on the light. TV Remotes When you change channels, germs can get on a TV remote. Dirty Silverware Germs may get onto forks or spoons when you eat with them. Uncooked Foods Raw meat has germs on it. Cooking food often makes it safer to eat.