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Well, our body is very amazing. It is like a fortress
protected by the skin, the white blood cells (the soldiers)
and the antibodies made by these cells (the bullets).
Our body is under constant attack by small, tiny organisms
called the germs (the enemy). These germs are so small
that we need to use a microscope to see them. These
germs, when they enter into our body, go on an attack
spree and cause damage to the body or part of the body.
That is called an infection. Sometimes they may cause
an infection only in one particular part of the body
like your eyes, lungs etc or may affect the whole body
causing fever. Our body tries to fight these germs with
the help of the white blood cells and the antibodies.
Sometimes, we may need to take medicines like antibiotics
that almost bulldoze the germs.
The germs that cause infection
are of 4 types :-
- Bacteria (pronounced as back – tea – ri-ah) – They
are tiny single celled creatures and cause infectious
like pneumonia, sore throat, sinusitis, ear infectious
and boils.
- Viruses (pronounced as why – rus-is) – They are
organisms that depend on a living cell to live. They
usually cannot live outside a living cell. Viruses
cause infections like flu, chicken pox, measles, mumps,
polio and many other diseases.
- Fungi (pronounced as fun-guy) – Fungi are organisms
that grow on damp, molded environment for e.g. When
a bread is left outside for several days, the white
substance that grows on it is the fungus. Fungi cause
infections of the nails and that itchy rash in the
thighs, armpits and other skin folds.
- Protozoa – They are larger organisms and include
the intestinal worms, the organisms causing malaria.
First and foremost, eating healthy and nutritious food
helps you to make your body stronger. Proper exercise
and adequate sunshine makes you feel better. And a stronger
body has better power (white blood cells and antibodies)
to fight the germs.
Another thing to remember is to keep
clean. Washing hands with soap and water keeps most
of he germs away from you.
And not to forget, your regular visit
to your friendly neighbourhood doctor to receive your
shots. These shots are the machine guns to fight the
germs when they attack your body.
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