Germs
Germs are found all over the world and in all kinds of places. They are found in the water we drink, the air we breathe, the food we eat, on inanimate objects, in blood, on humans and on or in just about everything. Germs are invisible and travel by hitchhiking from place to place using direct and indirect methods. In addition, germs thrive in warm, wet, dark environments, that are generally rich in nutrients. They can quickly adapt to their environment and will rapidly multiply, doubling their numbers every few hours. For example, custodial supply rooms can harbor significant quantities of germs. Germs can be found inside dirty mop buckets, carpet extractor tanks, floor sinks, floor drains, wet mops, and dust mops. If not properly disinfected, germs can then be spread in the workplace by this equipment.
Though some germs can be harmful, many are harmless and can be beneficial or essential for human life. Germs consist of microbes, biohazards and pathogens. There are a variety of diseases and germs that pose a potential health risk if not managed properly. Some of the more familiar ones are HIV, Hepatitis A, B, and C, Influenza, Staphylococcus, Cholera, Botulism, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, and E-coli.
Types of Germs
There are four major types of germs:
Bacteria
Single-celled or noncellular spherical, spiral or rod-shaped microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
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Viruses
A tiny organism that multiplies within cells and causes disease such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, and hepatitis.
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Fungi
Organisms that use living or dead organisms as food by breaking them down and then absorbing the substances into their cells. Fungi make up one of the five kingdoms of living things on Earth. Mushrooms, yeast, and molds are types of fungi.
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Protozoa
Tiny, mostly microscopic animals, each consisting of a single cell or a group of more or less identical cells, and living primarily in water. Some are human pathogens, often spreading diseases through contaminated water.