Micro-organisms

Microbes are Tiny Living Things Microbes or micro-organisms can only be seen through a microscope. There are millions of microbes in the soil, air, water and even the human body. Some microbes are USEFUL and some are DANGEROUS. Bacteria and viruses are microbes.

Helpful Microbes do Important Jobs Bacteria which help make vinegar, cheese and yoghurt Bacteria rot down dead organisms and put nutrients in the soil for plants to help them grow Yeast is a microbe: it’s used to make beer and bread

Harmful microbes can cause Disease They cause disease and illness: flu, colds, measles, chicken pox, AIDS,tetanus, etc. Microbes cause tooth decay.

Four ways of Spreading Disease From coughs and sneezes From touching infected people or objects From insect bites From infected food

In the Kitchen – be Sensible with Food Keep food covered Store food in a fridge Heat food properly when cooking Store raw meat away from cooked meat Preserve foods properly – take away water and air

At home – be Sensible with Personal Hygiene Wash your hands after going to the toilet Don’t sneeze or cough over people

At the Doctors – Medicines are used to fight Microbes Medicines called vaccines and antibiotics are taken as pills or injected – to fight microbes that cause illness