Germs exist everywhere, from the surface of a desk to a doorknob and even your own cell phone. While most germs won’t seriously harm you, some can make you slightly sick such as the common cold. Because of our immune systems, most healthy individuals are able to fight off sickness every day.

Even though we all get sick at some point in the year, knowing how germs work can increase your chances of preventing infection. There are ways to boost your immunity through your diet and lifestyle changes. However, those with compromised immune systems or chronic conditions may have to work with their health care providers for extra precautions when facing the possibility of getting sick. 

Wash Your Hands

While you may hear this all the time and even get tired of hearing it (or reading it), washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to fight off illnesses. The reasoning is that our hands touch literally everything. In the span of 5 minutes at a grocery store, your hands have touched a shopping cart, your coupons, groceries, your credit card/cash, etc. This is why so many of us are taught to wash our hands before eating or touching our faces. 

You can’t avoid using a shopping card or holding your credit card, however, you can wash your hands afterward. Most of the germs are contracted from your hands touching something such as your phone and then rubbing your eyes or touching your face. So, a good measure to practice is to wash your hands as often as possible. If you are unable to wash your hands, carry hand sanitizer to kill germs instead. 

Vaccines

Your best line of defense for protecting yourself from certain viruses and diseases are vaccines. Many of the vaccines are given to young children so as they develop their immune system, they won’t be affected by dangerous viruses and disease. Measles being a disease that has proven fatal to many unvaccinated children. Adults still need vaccines like annual influenza shot and sometimes a tetanus shot. 

Handling Food Properly

Food products, especially meats, can carry germs. You should aim to wash your hands and counter often when preparing any food, especially raw meat. Always thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables prior to consuming. Be aware of what temperatures are needed to cook and store food properly. Additionally, leaving food out on the counter can lead to bacterial growth. It is recommended to put unfinished food in the refrigerator as soon as you’re done eating. 

Infectious Agents

Viruses

A virus itself is much smaller than cells. Viruses are considered capsules that contain genetic material. For a virus to survive and reproduce, they invade cells inside the body and take over the existing powerhouse of the cells. The host cells are usually destroyed during the process. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics that are designed for bacteria. 

Viruses can cause diseases such as:

• Influenza
• Measles
• Common cold
• Ebola hemorrhagic fever
• Chickenpox 
• Shingles
• COVID-19

Bacteria

Bacteria are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope. There is a misconception to some that all bacteria are harmful. Probiotics are “good” bacteria, they are live bacteria that can benefit the digestive system by decreasing bad bacteria. However, disease-causing bacteria can be very harmful to the human body by damaging cells.  

Infections caused by bacteria:

• Strep throat
• Tuberculosis
• Urinary tract infections

Protecting yourself from bacteria and viruses is important no matter what age you are. From a young child to an older adult, practicing healthy habits is a must to protect yourself and those around you. Whether we are going through an epidemic like coronavirus or not, there will always be the common cold and the flu season, so it’s always important to know how to stay healthy and germ-free.