Germs: What to know and how to avoid them?

What are germs? What's the difference between a bacteria and virus? How are germs spread? How can germs be eliminated? We're glad you asked. Find all this and more.

Germs: what to know?

A microorganism is an organism that is too small to be seen by the naked eye — in other words, it is "microscopic." Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions, among others. Microorganisms exist virtually everywhere, in soil, air, food, water, animals, plants and people, and most are harmless. In fact, many microorganisms promote good health.

About germs

When a microorganism has the potential to be harmful (eg: causing illness, food poisoning, colds, etc), it is often referred to as a "germ." There are different types of common germs that can be controlled through basic hygiene and cleaning practices. These include:

• Bacteria
• Viruses

Germs can be spread via:

• Direct contact — like touching the hand of some who is sick
• Indirect contact — like touching a surface that held raw food, or was contaminated by someone who is sick and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes
• Through the air — like when someone coughs or sneezes into the air
• Through contaminated food and water
• Some germs are spread through contact with animals or by a bite or scratch

How and where germs survive

Germs thrive in moist conditions. In some instances, germs can live on surfaces for hours — and even days. For example, flu germs can live on surfaces for up to 2 days ...

The important thing to note is that while surfaces may look clean, it can contain germs. You need to disinfect to reduce germs on surfaces.

Viruses are very challening germs

Viruses are different from bacteria and fungi. They are extremely small — only 1/100th of the size of bacteria or fungi. But unlike bacteria or fungi, which are capable of growing on their own, viruses need a host to infect in order to reproduce. It is through this process that viruses cause disease.

In many cases, it only takes one virus particle to make you sick. That’s why handwashing and surface disinfection are important measures to help control the spread of disease - especially those cause by viruses.

Prevention tips

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Every time you touch a contaminated surface, you can transfer germs to and from your hands — but proper and thorough hand washing removes most germs from your hands.

When to Wash

• Before handling food or eating
• Before preparing a baby's meal or handling sterilised equipment
• Before applying contact lenses
• Immediately after handling raw foods, such as poultry.
• After visiting the toilet or changing a nappy
• After touching animals or their toys or equipment.
• After contact with blood or body fluids (like vomit, nasal secretions, saliva).
• After touching a contaminated area (e.g., trash can, cleaning cloth, drain, soil).
• Before and after dressing a wound or giving medicine.
• More often when someone in your home is sick.
• Whenever hands look dirty.

How to Wash

• Wet your hands and apply liquid, bar, or powder soap.
• Rub hands together vigorously to make a lather, and scrub all parts of the hand, including thumbs and under and around the nails.
• Continue for 20 seconds. It takes that long for the soap and scrubbing action to dislodge and remove stubborn germs. (Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" all the way through — twice.)
• Rinse hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean, dry towel

When Soap and Water Aren't Available

You can still keep your hands clean even if water isn't available. Hand sanitisers are designed to help kill germs on hands that are not visibly dirty, without the need for water or towels.

 

Information in this article supplied by Dettol.