Germs and Common Ways they are Spread: Know How to Protect Yourself
Understanding modes of transition for better protection against diseases
1. Nose, Mouth or Eyes to Hands to Others
Sneezing, coughing, or rubbing the eyes can spread germs to the hands, and individuals can subsequently transfer these to other family members or friends. Simply washing your hands can help prevent illnesses such as the common cold or eye infections.
2. Hands to Food
An infected food preparer who doesn’t wash their hands after using the toilet typically transmits germs from unclean hands to food. Those who eat the food can then contract these. To prevent this, always wash your hands after using the toilet and before preparing food items.
3. Food to Hands to Food
While preparing a meal, hands can pick up germs from raw foods like chicken. The hands can then transfer them to other uncooked foods, such as salad. Cooking the raw food kills them, but the salad remains contaminated.
4. Infected Child to Hands to Other Children
During diaper changing, a child with diarrhea can pass germs to the hands of the parent. If the parent doesn’t immediately wash their hands, they can then pass them to others.
5. Animals to People
Wash your hands after petting animals or touching any surfaces they come into contact with.