What are germs ? How do they spread ? How can they be eliminated ? What is the difference between bacteria and viruses?

You will find the answer to these and many other questions below.

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Presentation of micro-organisms

A micro-organism is a  living organism, invisible to the naked eye, which can only be observed with a microscope. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and prions. The living world is essentially microbial, they are everywhere, but  most of them are harmless. Many micro-organisms are even good for our health and play an essential role in ecological cycles.

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Germs

As soon as a micro-organism can be harmful, it is called a "germ". There are different types of germs that can be fought with basic rules of hygiene and disinfection: bacteria, viruses and fungi. ​ 

Viruses and bacteria attach themselves to surfaces and are dependent on external movement for their own movements. Fungi can be volatile and "catch" in the air. The lifespan of germs depends on their own nature, but also on the environment in which they are found.

A rubbing, a handshake, a touch is enough to move germs from one place to another and from one body to another.  

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But many germs can also be useful. Many bacteria living in the human body are useful and their contact with other germs can help humans develop an effective immune system and stay healthy.

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How and where do germs survive?

Like all living things, germs need an environment that is conducive to their survival. As a priority, they seek to attach themselves to surfaces on which they will find food and conditions that suit them (humidity, temperature, etc.).

In some cases, they can live for up to several days on a surface. Influenza germs, for example, can survive on a surface for up to two days. A surface that looks clean may contain many infectious germs, this is why your surfaces should be disinfected regularly.

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How do germs infect us?

Viruses are 0.01 times smaller than bacteria and fungi, and are more difficult to fight. They are able to develop by themselves, once they have contaminated a host. Then, they multiply. This is how viruses cause disease.

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Carrying a germ does not necessarily make you sick.

You can have bacteria on your hands without it causing an infection in your body. But we can still transmit them to those around us through direct or indirect contact. Is it possible for a person to become infected even if the person who transmitted the germ did not.

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It is therefore important to disinfect hands and surfaces regularly to prevent the spread of diseases, especially those caused by viruses.

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Prevention tips

Hand washing is sufficient to prevent most of the germs from spreading.

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However, nothing is more effective than sanitizing your hands with an alcohol solution .

This way, you can be sure that all germs will be eliminated.

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Information about the active substances that can be used to fight the different germs: