WHERE ARE THE GERMS THAT ATTACK HUMANS? - MEDICINE - 2024

Germs that attack humans can be found mainly in contaminated food and water, places with poor hygiene and in common areas. However, they can often also be found on the skin, especially the hands, mouth, and anus.

Germs are microorganisms that are present in all living things. We can find them practically in any environment and they are a vital part of natural cycles.

Microorganisms and bacteria

A small group of germs - usually called pathogens - can cause negative effects such as diseases or infections when they enter our body.

There are 4 types of germs that can be dangerous for humans, they are viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites.

Germs are found on almost any surface, as some can survive in inhospitable environments, such as extreme temperatures or no oxygen. The spread of germs can occur through various means and places where they are present.

Most common sources of germs

Contaminated food and water

A common and very dangerous route of transmission, the four germs that constitute a risk to humans, viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites, can attack us if we ingest or are in contact with contaminated water and food.

Diseases such as gastroenteritis, cholera or typhoid fever come through and reach our body in this way.

Kitchens and food preparation areas

The ingestion of harmful elements is usually the most common way of contracting some germ, so it is logical that the space where food is prepared should be clean.

Unfortunately, the cleanliness of many kitchens and spaces for the preparation of food and drinks is often neglected.

Poorly cooked or poorly preserved foods, prepared in unsanitary conditions, or simply spoiled, can lead to very harmful bacterial and parasite infections.

Kitchen utensils such as knives, pots, and plates must also be properly cleaned.

Cleaning or hygiene areas

Bathrooms, latrines, and toilets are perhaps the most common place where we can contract a germ.

The poor cleaning of these spaces is usually a determining factor, where elements such as urine and feces represent the greatest risk to health.

Gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and various sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted in these places.

Cleaning articles

Items used for cleaning surfaces and personal hygiene often attract germs.

Objects such as sponges, vacuum cleaner bags, washcloths and toothbrushes are often a “comfortable” medium for bacteria and fungi, which need dark, damp places to survive.

Common surfaces

Certain objects are normally touched by many people but are never properly cleaned, most of them located in public spaces.

Door knobs, ATMs, and railings are normally covered in germs.

Body

Germs can also be found in the mouth, hands, genitals, or anus of the human body.

Most common contagion methods

There are several ways in which germs enter our body, the most common are usually:

• Direct contact: Not only with surfaces but with people, individuals with the flu or some other illness of this type should avoid greeting with kisses, hugs or handshakes.
• By sexual contact: By having unprotected sex.
• Animal Bites or Stings: Mosquitoes, fleas, and other animals transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, or rabies.

References

1. Kara Rogers. (2011). Bacteria and Viruses. United States: The Rosen Publishing Group.
2. Jessica Snyder Sachs. (2008). Good Germs, Bad Germs. United States: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
3. Amy S. Collins. (2006). Preventing Health Care – Associated Infections. 2017, from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Website: Preventing Health Care – Associated Infections.
4. Robert Cox. (2016). Bacterial Infections 101. 2017, from OnHealth Website: Bacterial Infections 101.
5. Medlineplus. (2014). Bacterial Infections. 2017, from Medlineplus Website: Bacterial Infections.