Some Sicknesses Come From Germs and Some Do Not

Hey there! I am Medi, and today we are going to figure out WHY people get sick — because not all sicknesses have the same cause! Some illnesses are caused by tiny living things called germs. Germs are so small you cannot see them without a microscope. There are two main types: bacteria (say it: bak-TEER-ee-uh) and viruses (say it: VY-rus-ez). When germs get inside your body — through your nose, mouth, or a cut — they can make you feel awful. A cold, the flu, and strep throat are all caused by germs. Here is something important: germ illnesses can sometimes spread from one person to another because the germs travel! But other illnesses have NOTHING to do with germs at all. A sprain happens when you twist a joint too hard and stretch the tough bands around it — no germ involved! An allergy happens when your body mistakes something harmless, like pollen or a cat, for a danger and overreacts. You might sneeze a lot, but you did not catch it from anyone. A broken bone, a sunburn, or a stomachache from eating too much candy — all non-germ causes. Here is your hint: ask two questions. First, could another person "catch" this from someone? If yes, it is probably a germ illness. Second, did something physical happen (a fall, a food, a plant) that explains it? If yes, it is probably a non-germ cause. You are already thinking like a doctor!