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HEALTHY LIVING
GERMS AND DISEASES
Class 4JH
Stanford School Laceby
Some diseases are caused by germs There
are many different types of germs , but
the main ones are bacteria and viruses.
Many of these germs live in your blood all
the time and do you no harm. Other germs
make you ill if they get inside your body
and increase in number.
To make you ill, bacteria and viruses
have to get inside your body and
multiply [increase in number]. The
germs can enter your body through
any of the body's openings, such as
the nose or mouth.
When germs enter any of the body’s natural
openings, they meet a number of defences.
These help to stop them getting any further.
•Tiny hairs in the nose can help stop germs
being breathed in.
•Saliva in the mouth kills some germs.
•Tears can kill some germs.
•Stomach juices kill some germs.
•Skin stops germs getting in
However, in spite of these natural defences, some
germs will get into your body. Inside your body
the environment is perfect for the bacteria and
viruses. There is warmth and plenty of food. In
these conditions the germs will quickly multiply
and produce poisons which will be carried all
around your body by the blood.
Some germs get into your body through
natural opening. Other germs can get in
when your skin is cut. Your skin is your
first defence but we often cut ourselves
and even a small cut lets in germs.
Once the germs are inside your body
they meet defences.
Your blood contains white blood cells, amongst
other things.
Some of the white blood cells will engulf and
digest bacteria.
Other white blood cells produce chemicals
called antibodies.
Antibodies help to make the germs that cause
disease harmless.
This is what happens if you cut yourself
When you get a cut, bacteria surge in and
begin to multiply .the blood vessels around
the cut expand so that the blood can flow
more quickly, bringing more white blood
cells to the wound. The white blood cells
try to destroy the germs. Any dead cells
and dead germs are removed from the
wound as pus.
Bacteria and viruses which cause
diseases can be spread in many ways. By
contact with infected droplets from
someone with the disease. By drinking
contaminated water. By eating
contaminated food. By contact with
infected people and infected objects .By
contact with animals. When a disease can
be spread or caught it is said to be
infectious .
Bacteria are some of the smallest and
simplest living things. Many hundreds of
them would fit on the full stop at the end of
this sentence.
Not all bacteria are harmful, some of them
are useful to humans. The bacteria that
are harmful can cause some really nasty
diseases. They can also cause things like
boils and food poisoning.
They only shows signs of life when they
get inside the living cells of plants and
animals. They cause diseases like
influenza and the common cold in us.
How to stop germs
spreading
Wash your hands regularly especially after going
to the toilet.
Cover your mouth when you’re sneezing .
Keep your body as clean as possible.
Brush your teeth twice a day .
If you are ill, stay at home rather than come to
school.
Cover cuts with plasters.
Remember…
Germs can be good but germs can be bad
Treat them with care and you won’t feel sad!