Germs and Hygiene

Summary

What are germs?

Germs are microorganisms. This means that they can be seen only through a microscope. They can be found everywhere – in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many germs live in and on our bodies without causing harm. Some even help us to stay healthy. But some germs can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.

The main types of germs are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

How do germs spread?

There are different ways that germs can spread, including:

• Through touching a person who has the germs or making other close contact with them, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils
• Through breathing air after a person with the germs coughs or sneezes
• Through touching the feces (poop) of someone who has the germs, such as changing diapers, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Through touching objects and surfaces that have germs on them, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• From mother to baby during pregnancy and/or childbirth
• From insect or animal bites
• From contaminated food, water, soil, or plants

How can I protect myself and others from germs?

You can help protect yourself and others from germs:

• When you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
• Wash your hands well and often. You should scrub them for at least 20 seconds. It is important to do this when you are most likely to get and spread germs:
  • Before, during, and after preparing food
  • Before eating food
  • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
  • After handling pet food or pet treats
  • After touching garbage
• If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Stay home if you are sick
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Practice food safety when handling, cooking, and storing food
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects

Specifics

• Body Hygiene Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• If Soap and Water Are Not Available, Hand Sanitizers May Be a Good Alternative Food and Drug Administration
• Personal Hygiene during an Emergency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Personal Hygiene: Coughing and Sneezing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Q&A for Consumers: Hand Sanitizers and COVID-19 Food and Drug Administration
• Safely Using Hand Sanitizer Food and Drug Administration
• Staying Safe in the Water: Guard Against Germs While Swimming National Institutes of Health
• Steps for Healthy Swimming Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• When & How to Use Hand Sanitizer in Community Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Teenagers

• Body Odor (For Young Women) Boston Children’s Hospital
• Hand Washing Nemours Foundation
• Why Should I Care about Germs? Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Disinfection National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hand Hygiene National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hand Sanitizers National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Handwashing National Institutes of Health

Women

• Douching Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Eight Ways to Guard Against Germs in Everyday Life Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Hand Washing: Do’s and Dont’s Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Start Here

• Germs: Understand and Protect against Bacteria, Viruses, and Infections Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Hygiene Fast Facts: Information on Water-Related Hygiene Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• When and How to Wash Your Hands Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Your Body’s Bugs: Nurturing Healthy Microbes National Institutes of Health

Children

• Hand Washing: Why It’s So Important Nemours Foundation
• How Often Do Children Need to Take a Bath? American Academy of Dermatology
• What Are Germs? Nemours Foundation
• Why Do I Need to Wash My Hands? Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• Germs and Hygiene