Authors: Bamba, and Golden Jackson, PhD; Cristina Hernandez; and Delroy Daley of the AUC School of Medicine.
Hey friends! It’s Wali here and we have had so much fun learning about the human body. Now, it is time that I go off to my new training at the hospital. Yes! Before I go, I want to introduce you to my friend Bamba the bat, who is also a student doctor at AUC! Have fun. You all are in good hands!
Bamba:
Hey everyone! I know I have some tough shoes to fill with Wali leaving, but we will learn some new and exciting things about the human body. Today’s topic is “Germs”!
Germs get a bad reputation and for a good reason. If you are like me, I love the outdoors, playing a game of basketball, and even eating pizza with my friends. The one thing that all those activities have in common is that you must use your hands – well, unless you are a hog like my buddy Henry the hog…haha.
So, do you think it is a good idea to keep your hands clean? The answer is yes! I’ll explain what it means to have good hand-hygiene so that germs don’t make you sick!
Did you know that germs are microscopic? That means you can’t see them without a microscope because they are so tiny.
That means germs can hide anywhere – yikes! Germs can hide on doorknobs, table tops, and even on you right now! Your hands are a home for germs because they are your primary tools for your everyday use.
Every time you touch something, you transfer your germs onto it, and it does the same to you. So, if you bite your nails because you are nervous, you are putting germs in your mouth – eww! That is why washing your hands is a sign of good hand hygiene.
I am sure you are wondering what it means to have good hand hygiene. It means to keep your hands clean. The best practice is to wash your hands before every meal, after you use the toilet, or when you have contact with an ill person.
You can easily get the flu, chickenpox, meningitis, or even the common cold by having poor hand hygiene. Also, if you cannot wash your hands, then use hand sanitizer when you can.
Did you know that there is a certain amount of time you should wash your hands? Doctors say you should wash your hands for 20 seconds: That’s enough time to sing the “Twinkle-twinkle Little Star” song at the sink. That should surely help!
One more thing, make sure you do not spread infections. Germs can be spread through tiny water droplets from your mouth or nose when you cough, sneeze, and/or touch other people. Always cover your mouth (into your upper arm) if you cough or sneeze.
Now back to the germs! I said germs have a bad reputation, but not all germs are harmful. You have gut bacteria (germs) that live in your tummies to help you digest plant foods like vegetables! That’s wicked cool!
So there you have it! Remember always to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often, touch fewer things when you are sick, avoid touching other people who are sick, cover your mouth, and work on no nail-biting. We don’t want to spread our germs to someone else!
Until next time, friends! Bamba – out!
