By: Denise, Lauren H., Lindsey, Kaley, and Shannon

Bacteria-size: one thousand bacteria are the size of one pencil eraser Illnesses include - Strep Throat, Tuberculosis, Urinary Tract Infections Viruses: are even smaller than cells Illnesses include – The Common Cold, Influenza, Measles, & Smallpox

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims that proper hand washing is the first defense against pandemics, the common cold, the flu, SARS, and many other illnesses. 80% of all infectious diseases are transmitted simply by touch. More than 2 million deaths could be prevented each year from improved hand hygiene. Many absences in school due to illness can be prevented by proper hand washing.

Before eating food Before, during and after preparing food Before, during and after caring for someone who is sick Before and after treating a cut or wound After using the toilet or cleaning up someone who has After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste After touching garbage

1) Using warm water, wet hands. 2) Use soap and scrub hands, wrists, and under fingernails for a minimum of seconds (can be measured by singing, “The ABCs” ) 3) Rinse hands with your hands pointing downward 4) Use a disposable towel to dry your hands and turn off the water. If running water is not available hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes (with a minimum of 60% alcohol) are effective for killing most germs

When the Apollo 11 astronauts returned to earth, they were quarantined to prevent the spread of “Moon Germs”

References Hand-Washing Facts Hygiene Facts Germs: Understand and Protect Against Bacteria, Viruses and Infection How to Avoid Germs Video Wash Your Hands Video Clip from The Seinfeld TV Show

If we don’t teach and re-enforce these sanitary practices now then we could also be endangering our health in the future.

Journey of a Germ!