Germs 101

Most of the germs in the world are harmless to humans. Some types of bacteria even do us good, like the ones in our gut that help us digest food. But it’s worth knowing about germs and how they can be spread in your home – especially because a few simple hygiene steps can stop them in their tracks.

What are germs?

Germs (or pathogens, as they’re sometimes called) are microscopic organisms that can cause illness and infections if they get into our bodies.

The most common types are:

Bacteria (e.g. Salmonella which can cause food poisoning)
Viruses (e.g. Rhinovirus which causes the common cold)
Fungi (e.g. Trichophyton which can cause athlete’s foot)
Parasites (e.g. Giardia Intestinalis which can cause diarrhoea)

How are germs spread?

Bacteria and fungi can thrive anywhere warm and moist in your home. But viruses are different. Around one hundredth the size of a bacterium, viruses need to be inside a living host in order to reproduce. It’s through this process that they cause disease.

Common sources of germs in the home are:

Contaminated food and water
Regularly touched surfaces like doorknobs, taps, TV remotes and telephones
Cleaning and waste areas like bins, sinks and toilets
Household waste like used or gone-off food, used tissues and soiled nappies
Cleaning items like cleaning cloths, sponges and dirty toothbrushes
Pets and other animals like rodents and flies
Other people

How do germs get into the body?

There are several ways that germs can get into our bodies:

They could be eaten in contaminated food
Germs in the air could be inhaled through our nose and mouth get into the lungs
Germs on our skin can enter via untreated cuts or wounds
They can be introduced to our bloodstream through injections, surgery or through animal or insect bites
Finally, some specific germs in our body fluids can be passed onto others through bodily contact.

Did you know…

In the right conditions, bacteria like Escherichia coli (e-coli) can divide every 20 minutes so that in only 8 hours a single bacterium can grow to nearly 17M bacteria.

Dettol offers a range of products that kill germs to protect you and your family from illness.