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Germs

Germs are tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope. Many germs can cause diseases that make us sick.

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There are four main types of germs:

bacteria

viruses

fungi

Protozoa

Influenza (flu)

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a virus that is easily spread through coughing and sneezing.

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Symptoms:

• A high temperature
• Feeling tired and weak
• Headache
• Chesty cough
• Aches and pains
• Runny nose
• Sore throat

Influenza (Flu)

Prevention:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Make sure surfaces are clean.
• Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
• Take time off work or school if you have flu.
• You can have a vaccination to prevent flu.

Treatment:

• Get lots of rest.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Take pain killers to relieve aches and pains.
• Keep warm.

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Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a virus that spreads easily from person to person. It is spread through coughs and sneezes and coming into contact with objects that have been touched by a person with the illness.

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Symptoms:

• An itchy, red, spotty rash
• A high temperature
• Feeling unwell
• Loss of appetite
• Painful muscles

Chickenpox

Treatment:

• Use a cooling gel or cream to ease the itching.
• Tap or pat skin rather than scratch it, as it can scar.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Wear loose clothes.

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Prevention:

• Clean surfaces regularly.
• Stay off work or school until the rash scabs over.
• A vaccination is available for certain people who could become seriously ill if they get chickenpox.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria infecting the skin. It can be spread from person to person through sharing infected towels or through direct skin-to-skin contact.

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Symptoms:

• Red sores or blisters around the mouth and nose
• Itchy skin
• Blisters spreading to other parts of the body

Impetigo

Prevention:

• Don’t share towels or bedding with anyone who has impetigo.
• Wash hands regularly.
• Wash any contaminated objects.
• Try to cover up sores to prevent spreading the bacteria.
• Stay away from school or work.

Treatment:

• Use cream or antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

Measles

Measles is a disease caused by a virus. It can spread very easily and make some people very ill.

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Symptoms:

• Cold symptoms - sneezing, coughing and a runny or blocked nose.
• A high temperature.
• Red, watery and sore eyes, sensitive to light.
• Small white spots inside the mouth.
• A red rash or blotches on the face, behind the ears and the rest of the body.

Measles

Prevention:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze and put these in the bin.
• Don’t share clothes, towels, bedding, cups or cutlery.
• A vaccination is available for measles.
• Stay off school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash appears.

Treatment:

• Speak to a GP.
• Rest
• Drink plenty of water.
• Take a painkiller to help reduce a high temperature.

Norovirus

Norovirus or the winter vomiting bug, is a virus that causes sickness or vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be spread by being close to someone with the virus, touching objects that have the virus on them, touching your mouth, or eating food handled or prepared by someone with norovirus.

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Symptoms:

• Feeling sick
• Being sick
• Diarrhoea
• Sore stomach
• Aches and pains
• High temperature
• Headache

Norovirus

Prevention:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to prevent norovirus.

Treatment:

• Rest
• Stay away from school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for 2 days.
• Drink lots of water.

Glandular Fever

Glandular Fever is caused by a virus. It is spread through saliva or spit - by sharing cups or cutlery. It mostly affects people aged 15 to 24 years old. It can make people feel unwell for weeks.

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Symptoms:

• High temperature
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Swollen glands in the neck, head, �armpits, elbows, or groin
• Rash
• Feeling very tired

Glandular Fever

Prevention:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Don’t share cups or cutlery.

Treatment:

• Rest
• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t do any energetic activities like playing sports.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of areas around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis caused by bacteria is rarer and more serious than meningitis caused by a virus. It can affect anyone but is common in babies, children and young adults. It is spread by sneezing and coughing. People can carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but not be ill with meningitis. It is important to get medical help fast if you think someone has meningitis. Meningitis can get worse very quickly and cause blood poisoning and other serious health problems.

Symptoms:

• A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it - a rash will not always develop.
• A high temperature
• Being sick
• A headache
• A stiff neck
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Feeling very sleepy
• Seizures or fits

Meningitis

Treatment:

• People with meningitis need to go to the hospital to confirm the type of meningitis they have and the treatment they need.

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Prevention:

• Some vaccinations can help protect against some causes of meningitis.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils found at the back of your throat. �It is a common childhood illness but adults can get it too. It can feel like a bad cold or flu. Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus like the cold, but it can also be due to a bacterial infection like strep throat.

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Symptoms:

• A sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• A high temperature
• Coughing
• A headache
• Feeling sick
• Sore ears
• Feeling tired
• Swollen glands in your neck
• White patches on your tonsils
• Bad breath

Tonsillitis

Prevention:

• Avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze and put these in the bin.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

Treatment:

• A pharmacist will be able to advise on the best medicine to help.
• Rest
• Have cool drinks to help soothe your throat.

Research Challenge

Search the NHS website for more common diseases caused by germs. List the symptoms, treatments and preventions for the illnesses you have found. You could create a class encyclopaedia of common diseases.