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Germs are Everywhere!

What comes to your mind when you think of the word
germs? Some kids will think of “cooties” or “bugs”. Germs
are actually tiny organisms that can make our bodies sick
and cause disease. They are so tiny that you need a
microscope to see them. They are sneaky little invaders
that find their way into your body and you will not notice
them until you start having symptoms.
Germs can be found in the air, on soil, food, plants,
animals, water, and on your body. Germs are
everywhere! The good thing is that not every germ
makes us sick because of our immune system. Our
immune system attacks germs and helps keep us healthy.
However, some germs are difficult enemies that
reproduce quickly and create toxins, or poisons, that
cause disease.
There are different types of germs. The two most common types
of germs are bacteria and viruses. Bacteria are single-celled living
organisms. They have everything necessary to survive and reproduce
without relying on a cell. Viruses, on the other hand, are not considered
to be “living” because they need to attach themselves to cells in order to
live. Bacteria are also much bigger than viruses. Viruses are 10 to 100
times smaller than the smallest bacteria.
Less than 1% of bacteria cause disease. Most bacteria are actually
good for our health. Most viruses, unlike bacteria, are harmful and cause
disease. The way to get rid of harmful bacteria is different than getting
rid of viruses. For example, antibiotics are only helpful against bacteria,
not viruses. Antibiotics are chemical substances, or drugs, that kill or
limit the growth of harmful bacteria. For example, strep throat is an
infection caused by bacteria, and you would need antibiotics to treat it.
© The Discovery Apple
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Germs are Everywhere!
The treatment of viruses are more challenging. They are also specific
about the area of the body that they attack. For example, the Coronavirus
specifically attacks the respiratory tract which include your nose, throat,
and lungs. Other types of viruses can attack the liver or even the blood.
Common viruses include the flu, rabies, and the common cold. The primary
way to prevent infections caused by viruses is by vaccination.
You can help fight germs and infections too! Simple
things such as washing your hands regularly, avoiding
close contact with people who are sick, and cleaning
surfaces that are touched often can help with getting rid
of the bad germs.

The easiest and best way to protect yourself from germs and most
infections is by hand-washing using soap and water. It is important to wash
your hands for about 20 seconds, which is about as long as it takes to sing
the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice. You should always remember to wash
your hands before eating food, after coughing or sneezing, after using the
bathroom, and after going to public places like the playground or the
store. If you are at a place where soap and water is not available,
hand sanitizers can offer protection. Keeping a small bottle of hand
sanitizer with you where ever you go would be a good idea, just in
case you need it.

You would not want to spread germs to people around

you and get them sick, would you? When you sneeze or cough,
sneeze into your elbow or shoulder and use a tissue to cover
your mouth when you cough. This will help prevent getting all
of the germs into the air and all over the place, as well as
protecting yourself from getting the germs on your hands.

Always remember to Keep your immune system strong and healthy

by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting a good night’s sleep!
© The Discovery Apple
Germs are Everywhere! Name: ____________________________

1. What is a germ?
a) cooties
b) tiny organisms that can make our bodies sick
c) bugs that you find on the floor
d) huge living organisms that cause disease

2. True or False: You will notice the germs sneaking into your body because you
can see them without needing a microscope.

3. Where can germs be found?

a) air
b) food
c) animals
d) all of the above

4. Why is it important to have a good immune system?

5. What are the two most common types of germs?

6. What are bacteria?

a) non-living organisms
b) only the good germs
c) single-celled living organisms
d) germs that only grow on hard surfaces

7. Why are viruses not considered to be “living”?

© The Discovery Apple

Germs are Everywhere! Name: ____________________________

8. Antibiotics are only helpful against ___________.

a) bacteria b) viruses

9. What are antibiotics?

10. What does the Coronavirus specifically attack?

a) the respiratory tract
b) the heart
c) the digestive system
d) the brain

11. What are things you can do to help fight the bad germs?

12. How long should you wash your hands for?

13. When should you wash your hands?

a) before eating food
b) after coughing or sneezing
c) after using the bathroom
d) all of the above

114. When you sneeze or cough, what should you do to help prevent getting all of
the germs into the air?

© The Discovery Apple

 Answer Key
Germs are Everywhere! Name: ____________________________

1. What is a germ?
a) cooties
b) tiny organisms that can make our bodies sick
c) bugs that you find on the floor
d) huge living organisms that cause disease

2. True or False: You will notice the germs sneaking into your body because you
can see them without needing a microscope.
False – you need a microscope to be able to see germs.
3. Where can germs be found?
a) air
b) food
c) animals
d) all of the above

4. Why is it important to have a good immune system?

It is important to have a good immune system because the immune system
attacks germs and helps keep us healthy.

5. What are the two most common types of germs?

Bacteria and Viruses

6. What are bacteria?

a) non-living organisms
b) only the good germs
c) single-celled living organisms
d) germs that only grow on hard surfaces

7. Why are viruses not considered to be “living”?

They need to attach themselves to cells in order to live.

© The Discovery Apple

 Answer Key
Germs are Everywhere! Name: ____________________________

8. Antibiotics are only helpful against ___________.

a) bacteria b) viruses

9. What are antibiotics?

chemical substances, or drugs, that kill or limit the growth of harmful bacteria

10. What does the Coronavirus specifically attack?

a) the respiratory tract
b) the heart
c) the digestive system
d) the brain

11. What are things you can do to help fight the bad germs?
wash your hands regularly, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and
clean surfaces that are touched often

12. How long should you wash your hands for?

about 20 seconds
13. When should you wash your hands?
a) before eating food
b) after coughing or sneezing
c) after using the bathroom
d) all of the above

114. When you sneeze or cough, what should you do to help prevent getting all of
the germs into the air?
sneeze into your elbow or shoulder and use a tissue to cover your mouth
when you cough

© The Discovery Apple

 Compare & Contrast: Germs

most are harmful does not rely on prevent by

germs
and cause disease cells to live vaccination
less than 1% cause needs to attach to treat by taking tiny organisms that
disease cells to live antibiotics can make us sick
you cant see them Example: Can kill them by Example:
without a microscope Strep Throat washing your hands Coronavirus
© The Discovery Apple
Compare & Contrast: Germs

you cant see them

without a microscope

germs

Can kill them by

washing your hands

tiny organisms that

can make us sick

© The Discovery Apple

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