Read these Student Articles:

Microbes

Bacteria

Virus

Fungi

Protozoa

Find out How Germs Do Their Dirty Work:

How Germs Are Spread

Part 1. Person to Person

Part 2. Pets and Other Critters

Part 3. Food and Water

Take this Quiz

Build a Skill. Handwashing is the single most important skill you can use to keep from getting an infection.

List below the steps for proper handwashing.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Next, list the activities you do each day for which hand washing is needed either before or after the activity. One activity is provided to get you started. Place a check beside each activity listed when you remember to wash your hands. Click here to print this chart.

Section Two. Learn more about food-borne illness.

Go online to take FDA’s Food Safety Quiz http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/vltedkit.html before you study this lesson in class, and then again after you have studied the lesson.

Go online to help investigators inspect food warehouses.

http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/vltedkit.html

Fight BAC – Keep food safe from bacteria. Learn about these four key steps.

1. Clean.

2. Separate.

3. Chill.

4. Cook.

Build a Skill. Practice at least one of the above steps at home.

Section Three. Learn more about Vaccines.

Read these Student Articles:

Fighting Infection: How the Body Fights Germs, Part I

Fighting Infection: How the Body Fights Germs, Part II

Go to http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/vltedkit.html and read about vaccines.

Build a Skill.

1. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5351-Immunizationa1.htm

Scroll down the page to find the most current immunization schedule for your age group. Print or copy the schedule.

2. Using the most current immunization schedule, determine if you have had all the immunizations you need by comparing it with your “shot record” from home. You’ll need your parent’s help with this.

3. Write down the address and phone number for one place in your community where people may receive free immunizations. Hint: local health departments and clinics usually provide free immunizations.

Section Four. Know When to Get Help.

When you think you may have an infectious illness.

Generally, you should consult a doctor or other health care professional if you have or think you may have contracted an infectious disease.

You should get a health professional’s advice immediately if…

• You are having difficulty breathing
• You have been bitten by an animal
• You have a cough that has lasted for more than a week
• You have a fever of 100 F or higher
• You have episodes of rapid heartbeat
• You have a rash (especially if you have a rash and a fever at the same time)
• You have swelling
• You suddenly start having difficulty with seeing (such as blurry vision)
• You have been vomiting

Sometimes, however, a visit to the doctor may not be necessary.

If, however, you have other conditions in which your immune system doesn't function properly, you should be in contact with your doctor whenever you suspect you have any infectious disease, even the common cold. Such conditions can include asthma and immunodeficiency diseases like HIV infection and AIDS.

In addition, some common, usually mild infectious diseases, such as chickenpox or flu, can cause serious harm in very young children or the elderly.

Source: Microbes: In Sickness and In Health. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/microbes.htm#a

Section Five. Web-sources for Students and Parents.