Staphylococci Streptococci Flagellate rod Spirilla

Some examples of bacteria

What are “Germs”?

Infection Control Principles - 5

“Germs” or micro-organisms are ubiquitous and can be found on almost all surfaces, on the skin and in the air. Most “germs” are harmless, in fact, we depend upon them (particularly bacteria) for good health including digestion, production of essential nutrients and a healthy immune system. Some “germs” however, can cause infections and disease.

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The most common “Germs” can be categorized into 5 classes:1. Bacteria 2. Viruses 3. Fungi4. Protozoa 5. Helminths

bacteria invade the body they cause infection by releasing powerful toxins into surrounding tissue and the blood stream and/or by physical damage.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms. Bacteria are mostly free living with all the necessary components to grow and reproduce. When pathogenic

PapillomavirusEnterovirusRhinovirusRotavirus

Filovirus(Ebola virus)

Viruses are not living organisms. The best way to look at viruses is to think of them as tiny machines. They cannot reproduce on their own. They must hijack a host cell and use the hosts own reproduction components to produce more viruses. While viruses are not living they are composed of biological materials and therefore can be destroyed easily outside the host.

Coronavirus

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Infection Control Principles

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Fungi, like bacteria, play an enormously bene�cial role in our lives, however there are some that can cause disease. The bene�cial fungi most people are familiar with are mushrooms, the mould used to make blue vein cheese, yeast for breads, beer and other foods. More sinister types of fungi cause diseases such as candida (thrush), ringworm and tinea.

Protozoans are tiny free living single celled organisms. There are many harmless species of protozoa that live in the human gut. In-fact animals like

sheep, cattle and white ants (actually related to cockroaches) require protozoa in their gut to digest the cellulose in their diet. More dangerous species of protozoa cause diseases such as Guardia, Malaria, Toxoplasmosis and Sleeping Sickness.

Penicillium mould or fungi has perhaps had the greatest impact on human health, being the source of penicillin.

Helminths are worms and include round worms, tape worms and �at worms. They can cause a range of diseases depending on the type of worm and the location of the infection. They can infect the intestinal tract, liver, eyes and even the brain.

Giardia Trichomonas Trypanosoma Leishmania