1. Why should I care about germs? Germs is a word for four different types of organisms including: Germs is a word for four different types of organisms including: Bacteria Bacteria Viruses Viruses Fungi Fungi Protozoa Protozoa

2. HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF? Most germs are spread through the air (coughs, sneezes) Most germs are spread through the air (coughs, sneezes) Bodily fluids (sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid) Bodily fluids (sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid) Limit contact with those substances. Limit contact with those substances. Wash your hands OFTEN! After using the bathroom, blowing your nose, touching pets, after gardening, before and after visiting a sick relative or friend. Wash your hands OFTEN! After using the bathroom, blowing your nose, touching pets, after gardening, before and after visiting a sick relative or friend. Correct way to wash hands – warm water and soap, rub hands vigorously for 15 seconds away from water, rinse well and dry. Correct way to wash hands – warm water and soap, rub hands vigorously for 15 seconds away from water, rinse well and dry. Vaccinations Vaccinations

3. FOOD SAFETY Food that hasn’t been prepared properly may contain bacteria like E. coli. Food that hasn’t been prepared properly may contain bacteria like E. coli. Unsafe food can also spread food-borne illnesses lie samonellosis and Campylobacter infection Unsafe food can also spread food-borne illnesses lie samonellosis and Campylobacter infection

4. START AT THE SUPERMARKET Make sure you put refrigerated foods in your shopping cart last e.g.. Meat, fish eggs, milk before cereals and chips. Make sure you put refrigerated foods in your shopping cart last e.g.. Meat, fish eggs, milk before cereals and chips. When buying packaged meat, poultry or fish, check the expiry date on the label. Don’t buy food if it has expired or if it will expire before you plan to use it. When buying packaged meat, poultry or fish, check the expiry date on the label. Don’t buy food if it has expired or if it will expire before you plan to use it. Don’t use fish or meat that has a strong or strange odor – Follow your nose and eyes. Don’t use fish or meat that has a strong or strange odor – Follow your nose and eyes.

5. Supermarket (ctd) Place meats in plastic bags so that juices do not leak onto other foods. Place meats in plastic bags so that juices do not leak onto other foods. Separate any raw meat, fish or poultry from vegetables, fruit or any other foods you’ll eat raw. Separate any raw meat, fish or poultry from vegetables, fruit or any other foods you’ll eat raw. Check eggs before buying them. Make sure that none are cracked. Check eggs before buying them. Make sure that none are cracked. DO NOT BUY: DO NOT BUY: Fruit with broken skin Fruit with broken skin Unpasturised milk or juices Unpasturised milk or juices Prestuffed turkeys or chickens Prestuffed turkeys or chickens

6. IN THE KITCHEN After a trip to the supermarket put away things that belong in the refrigerator and freezer. Keep eggs in the original container on a shelf in the fridge. After a trip to the supermarket put away things that belong in the refrigerator and freezer. Keep eggs in the original container on a shelf in the fridge. Raw meat, fish or poultry should be cooked within 2 days or frozen Raw meat, fish or poultry should be cooked within 2 days or frozen Thaw frozen meat, poultry and fish in the fridge or microwave, never at room temperature. Thaw frozen meat, poultry and fish in the fridge or microwave, never at room temperature. Cooked thawed meat immediately. Cooked thawed meat immediately. Cook mince or sausage until it is no longer pink. Cook mince or sausage until it is no longer pink. Scrub all fruit and vegetables with water before use. Scrub all fruit and vegetables with water before use. Remove the outer leaves of all leafy greens. Remove the outer leaves of all leafy greens. Don’t let eggs stay at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Don’t let eggs stay at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

7. STORING LEFTOVERS SAFELY Put leftovers in the fridge as soon as possible. Put leftovers in the fridge as soon as possible. Store leftovers in containers that can be snapped tightly shut. Store leftovers in containers that can be snapped tightly shut. Eat any leftovers within 3 days or freeze them. Don’t freeze any dishes that contain uncooked fruit or veggies, hard-cooked eggs, or mayonnaise. Eat any leftovers within 3 days or freeze them. Don’t freeze any dishes that contain uncooked fruit or veggies, hard-cooked eggs, or mayonnaise. Eat frozen leftovers within 2 months Eat frozen leftovers within 2 months

8. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS? Infections are diseases that are caused by microscopic germs that get into the body. Some- but not all- infectious diseases are spread directly from one person to another. Infections and other diseases that spread from person to person are said to be contagious. Infections are diseases that are caused by microscopic germs that get into the body. Some- but not all- infectious diseases are spread directly from one person to another. Infections and other diseases that spread from person to person are said to be contagious. Some infections spread to people from an animal or insect, not another human being. E.g.. Lyme disease comes from the bite of a tick. Some infections spread to people from an animal or insect, not another human being. E.g.. Lyme disease comes from the bite of a tick.

9. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES STDs are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. They affect guys and girls equally. They affect guys and girls equally. Unfortunately STDs have become common amongst teens. Unfortunately STDs have become common amongst teens. They are more than just an embarrassment. They are a serious health threat. They are more than just an embarrassment. They are a serious health threat. If untreated they can cause infertility and even death. If untreated they can cause infertility and even death.

10. HOW STDs ARE SPREAD One reason STDs spread is because people think that they need to have sexual intercourse to become infected. That’s wrong. A person can get some STDs like herpes or genital warts through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. One reason STDs spread is because people think that they need to have sexual intercourse to become infected. That’s wrong. A person can get some STDs like herpes or genital warts through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. Another myth about STDs is that you can’t get them if you have oral sex. Viruses or bacteria can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth as well as the genitals Another myth about STDs is that you can’t get them if you have oral sex. Viruses or bacteria can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth as well as the genitals STDs also spread easily because you can’t tell whether someone has an infection. In fact some people with STDs don’t even know that they are infected. STDs also spread easily because you can’t tell whether someone has an infection. In fact some people with STDs don’t even know that they are infected.

11. INCREASED CHANCES OF GETTING AN STD Sexual activity at a young age. Sexual activity at a young age. Lots of sexual partners. People who have sexual contact – not just intercourse – but any form of intimate activity – with many partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner. Lots of sexual partners. People who have sexual contact – not just intercourse – but any form of intimate activity – with many partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner. Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce the risk of getting an STD. Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce the risk of getting an STD. (Reference – www.KidsHealth/Teens/Your Body/Health Basics/Why should I care about germs? (Reference – www.KidsHealth/Teens/Your Body/Health Basics/Why should I care about germs?www.KidsHealth/Teens/Your