Are microorganisms always harmful to the human body?

Answer 1

In general there are two ways that bacteria can be harmful:

1. By feeding on human body cells directly.
2. By feeding on some other substrates but at the same time producing some waste product that are harmful to humans.

Answer 2

The following contains examples of the diseases or other illnesses that each different type of microbe can cause in mankind, along with some methods of protecting ourselves from these. It does not include all harm that microbes can do to the environment, wildlife, etc., nor does it include any other ways they can harm the Earth and, by extension, mankind. There is also only minor mention of the good that microbes do for us and the Earth.

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VIRUSES:

Common Cold & Influenza

If you have or someone around you has cold symptoms, be sure to wash your hands after using tissues when you cough or sneeze or clear your nose, and wash your hands before you touch someone else or their things so you don't spread the virus to them. If the other person is not as careful as you and you are not in a position to educate them on hygiene, then watch them closely and do not touch things they have used, or if you must, then immediately wash your hands before you touch your face, eyes, mouth, or nose.

Cold viruses are spread by moving microbes from one person's mouth, nose, or eyes to those of another person. This is done using our hands much more often than by airborne particles from sneezing or coughing, although that is also a mode of transmission.

Shaking hands in a business setting is an almost perfect way to assure that you pass those microbes on or take them on from someone else. Be up front and explain that you are not shaking hands that day because you do not want to share your cold with them. This will improve your business relationship, it will not harm it. It lets the other person know you care about them, you are educated about how germs are spread, and you are self-confident enough to be open and honest about your actions and reasons for them. If they, in contrast, offer you their hand when you know they have a cold, you can be similarly honest on why you would rather give a "virtual handshake", and you may also be giving a very good lesson to them in the process. If, however, you are concerned about how that will be received, then you might try a "white lie" that you have a strained wrist or finger that makes handshaking painful right now and you apologize but are unable to do so. You may, while telling them, make a physical gesture to replace the handshake by touching them on the shoulder or elbow with the opposite hand. Alternately, you might tell them that YOU also have a cold and don't want to add your germs to theirs. In those situations, most people are pleased with the interchange and appreciative.

When you are coughing and sneezing with a cold or flu, have tissues handy to cover your mouth and nose and then put the used tissue immediately into a trash container (not in your purse, pocket, up your sleeve, inside your blouse, or on the table or desk). Use them once and then throw them away. If you must cough or sneeze and you don't have tissues available, then cover your face, and especially your mouth, with your elbow by turning your face into the crook of your arm held close to your body. Do not cough or sneeze with your mouth covered by your bare hand, that just loads your hands with a big dose of microbes to move to a place for someone else to pick them up, unless you know that you can immediately use your hand sanitizer before touching anything. Teach your children and family to follow these same precautions.

If at all possible, stay home instead of going to work, school, or out in public during the first three to five days of your cold or flu symptoms, and try to educate others to do the same. Your body needs rest and fluids to fight the microbes and you don't want to be the "Typhoid Mary" of your office or school. If more of us took this one simple precaution, many microbes causing the communicable diseases would not have the ability to spread throughout the communities and could be stopped with your responsible behavior. This is a time when you, a single individual, can make a difference in the lives of many others.

Viruses and Bacteria:

Use the anti-microbial wipes available at many stores to clean the handles of the shopping cart before using it. If the store does not have these available, carry your own supply of wipes or a bottle of waterless hand sanitizerwith you and use it on the cart and on your hands. Don't forget that after you check out, you often are given a different cart to carry your items to the car, one which is not cleaned prior to your use. You could use the sanitizeryou have with you to clean it before touching it to push out to the car. Most stores have not considered that, and don't place the sanitizing wipes also in that location. Although that should be obvious for the reason just cited, and because the cart will now have been handled by another person, the bagger and/or checker, it is still not done. Use this opportunity to educate the store and request that they put one there for your future use. Or, use the cart and before doing anything else after touching it, use the sanitizer before even entering your car.

Do not go into a hospital unless absolutely necessary. It is not a place to visit sick friends any more, since patients are very ill when hospitalized now, and are not there for lengthy recoveries when friendly visits would have been more appreciated. Friendly visits used to be more appropriate than in this day and age. You don't want to take microbes in to the vulnerable patients or bring them home with you. If you mustbe there, use the hand sanitizers often, and before you get into your car if possible. The hospitals have sanitizerslocated around the building, feel free to utilize these, they are not restricted to use by staff only. Hospitals harbor not only viruses, such as the coronavirus, which is responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a rare but deadly condition, but they also have extremely virulent and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, fungi, and other disease-producing microbes. Again, avoid transferring those to yourself with your hands.

So, frequent hand washing is your best protection from viruses and many types of bacteria. There are also antiseptic sprays that can be used on objects that are frequently touched like telephones, door knobs, and drawer and cabinet handles.

Do not go to the doctor and demand antibiotics for a common cold. These drugs are for bacterial infections, they have no effect on viruses. It is likely only coincidental if you feel better soon after starting the antibiotics, because people usually wait until after the first four or five days of a cold to go to the doctor. It is within two to three days of that when the virus would have run its course anyway (usually 7-10 days), and so a few days of antibiotics only seems to be doing the trick, and is pure coincidence due to the timing.

When antibiotics are used when not really necessary, they add to the problem of creating antibiotic resistant bacteria that become increasingly deadly and virulent, such as the "flesh eating bacteria". And they add unnecessary costs to an already over-priced health care system in the US. Doctors shouldn't, but may, "give in" to your demands or strong requests for the antibiotics and give them to you unnecessarily.

Other Viruses:

Viruses also cause various other diseases like HIV/AIDS, measles, mumps, chicken pox, shingles, Herpes, viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"), viral pneumonia, viral hepatitis, etc. They are typically spread the same way as the cold and flu viruses except in the cases of hepatitis, herpes and HIV, they can also be transmitted through body fluids like blood, and can be sexually transmitted. Protect yourself with gloves, etc. when there is blood and use protection during sexual contact. Viral gastroenteritis can be spread through contaminated foods and eating utensils.

BACTERIA:

If you are given antibiotics for any bacterial infection, always take them as directed and until ALL of the medicine has been used. If you stop because you are feeling better before that, you risk both contributing to the creation of resistant bacteria, as well as a recurrence of the infectiononce the bacteria, that were not killed but only weakened, are able to build up again to cause more symptoms.

During a bacterial infection of a wound or surgical site, be especially cautious to clean, medicate, and dress the wound as you are directed, using the precautions as you are instructed, to avoid transmission of those bacteria to others or to a different location on yourself.

Similarly, if you have a bacterial eye infection (conjunctivitis, "pink eye"), do not cross-contaminate by touching the infected eye and then the other eye. Also wash your hands frequently and avoid touching other's eyes or allowing them to touch yours without using the same precautions. Use the eye drops or ointments that you are prescribed for the infection as frequently as directed, and until the entire medication is used up, regardless of any improvement in the symptoms prior to the full use of the treatment.

Any time you use a public restroom, after washing your hands and leaving the restroom, use your sanitizer. When you touch the door handle to leave the restroom, you pick up more germs. To properly use the sanitizers it to kill germs, rub your hands briskly to add friction to the process of getting rid of the microbes (this is also an important part of proper hand washing with soap and water). Some have recommended that you should avoid even using the public sinks and rely only on the sanitizer. This would make sense when the sink may seem less clean than your hands.

If you must visit someone at the hospital, clinic or go to the doctor's office, keep these tips in mind and be careful not to pick up other people's microbes on your hands. If you can not avoid touching the chair arms, publicly used pens at the counter, etc., then use the sanitizer as soon as you can afterward and do not touch your face, nose, eyes or mouth in the interim.

If you get even a minor cut, it is good to apply an antibiotic ointment, like the triple antibiotic ointments you can get at a drug store, after thoroughly washing the injury. This prevents the bacteria that can cause serious infections from getting a foothold. Use these, if you have them, even if you do not have immediate access to soap and water to wash the injury first. Once available, use soap and water to clean the area thoroughly and apply more of the topical antibiotics.

Be sure to eat healthy fats and five servings of fruit and vegetables each day as part of a good diet. This will help you keep your skin in healthy condition. Don't let it get too dry or cracked from callouses by using creams and lotions as needed. If you are diabetic, check your feet daily for open areas. Keep cuticles healthy to prevent entry of microbes through those openings in your skin. Maintain healthy nutrition with supplements if necessary to keep skin nourished. The skin is your first line of defense against microbes. Your immune system also requires good nutrition for it to function at its best to protect you from microbes that get past your good hygiene and other defenses.

FUNGI AND YEASTS:

Keep skin clean and dry, especially between toes, under breasts, between legs, under arms, folds of skin, and other areas where moisture can be trapped. Allow these areas to be open to the air for some time each day. This will help prevent fungi and yeasts. There are anti-fungal creams, ointments, and powders available to use to prevent and treat common fungal infections.

A very common fungal infection, also called yeastinfection, is due to Candida albicans (Candidiasis, Thrush) and other strains of Candida. A healthy immune system prevents infections caused by this, in most cases, since the yeast is very commonly present on the skin, and in the environment, and so a good immune system recognizes this microbe quickly, and knows just what to do to kill it.

Infants who have not yet developed their immunities, patients with HIV infections and AIDS and other immunological disorders, people on high doses of antibiotics, smokers, and diabetics are most often affected. The antibiotics kill the "good bacteria" that protect us by making conditions (such as pH changes, etc.) that are inhospitable to the yeasts. When "good bacteria" are killed along with the "bad bacteria" being treated with the antibiotics, then the Candida can take over. (This is also why we get diarrhea when taking strong or long-term antibiotics, because the "good bacteria" in the gastrointestinal system are killed similarly.)

Quick treatment that is continued as directed, even if symptoms are eliminated or minimized, is the best protection against fungi and yeasts. If the medication directions for use are not followed properly for the frequency and duration of the treatment, then the yeast is merely weakened and not killed, and will return.

A very common manifestation of this type of microbe is a vaginal yeast infection. There can be different causes, but when the "good bacteria" normally in the vagina are disturbed, for example by excessive douches, antibiotics or other medications, hormonal problems, or even bubble baths that allow detergents to enter the vagina and kill the normal flora (bacteria), the Candida albicans yeast can get a foothold. The symptoms range from none to extreme itching, burning, and whitish discharge. Men can also get sores that are very itchy on the tip of the penis. Both partners should be promptly treated.

Babies and other immune-deficient people can get this in the mouth, which is called "Thrush". It causes burning and mouth pain, and the most obvious symptom visible is a white film or coating inside the mouth. Another group prone to this infection are those with oral piercings. Again, prompt treatment and a work up to determine if there is an unknown underlying disorder contributing to the outbreak is important.

Babies can also have a problem with the Candida microbe by breastfeeding from a mother who has been treated during labor with antibiotics to prevent transmission of streptococcus B to the infant during delivery. The strep bacteria are normal in the gastrointestinal system and urogenital areas. Up to 25% of women are carriers of strep B in the vaginal area and do not have any symptoms. If the mother has been treated and the infant is breastfeeding, the thrush can take over with the loss of the "good bacteria", due to the antibiotics that the baby got through the placenta during labor, and through the breast milk from the mother's treatment. Sometimes the babies are also treated with antibiotics after birth, if signs of strep infection in them are evident. The baby can show the thrush in the mouth and in the diaper area. Antifungal creams and oral swabs are used on the infant. The diaper area will need to be kept clean anddry, with exposure to the air as often as possible.

If the baby has oral thrush while breastfeeding, this can also transfer an infection in the mother on and around the nipples. Treatment includes good hygiene of the breast areas, probiotics (supplements containing "good bacteria" to replace the ones lost to the antibiotics and/or eating foods containing the "good bacteria" (e.g., Lactobacillis acidophilus) such as yogurt, Sweet Acidophilus milk, etc.), and topical treatment on the nipples with antifungal topical medications.

Be careful when gardening to avoid breathing spores of fungi. It is not uncommon for bags of peat and other soil amendments and mulches to harbor these spores. If spreading these liberally in your garden (or potted plants), use of a surgical mask may also be of benefit.

If you see large amounts of molds inside your home, especially slimy greenish black ones, you should consider having them tested to be sure they are not the types with toxins that can cause serious disease. They can be deadly to infants and the immune compromised (although this is rare) but more commonly are causes of asthma and bronchitis. Even if the mold is not the most troublesome black mold, Strachybotrys chartarum also called S. atra, molds in the home can be an indication of a less than healthy home.

PROTOZOA:

The microbes called protozoa can cause other diseases in humans. Examples are malaria, where the protists (a type of microbe) are carried by mosquitoes in tropical areas of the world. To protect from this and other mosquito-borne diseases, use a repellent containing DEET whenever exposed to mosquitoes. Also be sure to eliminate outdoor sources of standing water in your immediate vicinity, even very small amounts can allow mosquitoes to propagate.

There are products that can be safely put in large areas of water, that can not be drained, that kill mosquitoes by using a bacteria (Bacillis thuringiensis - BT) that kills the mosquito larvae, and according to the EPA, does not harm bees or other wildlife, only mosquitoes. It is very effective, but some beekeepers are now wondering if there may be some connection to it and to the reduction of bees to 30% of the former population in the US. So for now, encourage hummingbirds, dragonflies, bats, frogs, and other mosquito-eating animals by providing habitat and food.

AMOEBA:

Other diseases such as amoebiasis (infection by amoeba), and giardia are caused by microbes that are microscopic animals or parasites. They can be contracted from contaminated drinking water. Avoid drinking and even brushing teeth using water in countries known to have this kind of problem with their waters, or drinking from lakes or streams without sanitizing and filtering the water first.

PARASITES:

Other microscopic animal microbes are dust mitesthat live among us in our homes. They are harmless, unless you have an allergy to their by-products. There are commercial products to rid them from your home, but they often require repeated treatments. You can protect from these by eliminating places for them to live as much as possible such as carpets, draperies, and old pillows. They live by eating our cast off dead skin cells and the dander of pets, so keeping the environment dust-free and pets well groomed will also help control these microbes. The place they are most prevalent is in your bedding. They can live through a wash on the warm or cold water cycles so the best way to eliminate them from bedding is to wash bedding in hot water with hot water rinse.

MICROSCOPIC PLANTS/BLUE-GREEN ALGAE:

The microbes that are fungus-like "microscopic plants", organisms that are like both bacteria and plants (they use photosynthesis to make their own food) include blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria). This is not exactly algae. Exposure to this, by swimming in lakes with scum or foamy looking areas and that smell "musty", or drinking contaminated water, can cause illnesses, too. Some problems associated are skin rashes and blisters after being in the water. Rinse off as soon as possible after exposure with plenty of fresh water. Drinking can cause severe acute gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. They also produce toxins that can cause neurological symptoms, like numbness, dizziness, convulsions and death, that can occur as early as 15 minutes after exposure. Prevent dogs and pets from drinking, swimming in, and exposure to these waters as well. Observe and comply with "No Swimming" warning signs and other directions from the local municipalities.

PRIONS:

Prions are microscopic disease-causing agents that are not bacterial, fungal, nor viral and contain no genetic material. A prion is a protein that occurs normally in a harmless form. By folding into an aberrant shape, the normal prion turns into an agent of disease, many affecting the brain or central nervous system.

Answer 3

some microbes are harmful to the body because some are germs, bad bacteria, virus or fungi. microbes are harmful to the body because microbes is just a scientific name for different types of cells that can be harmful or not. some bacteria, virus and fungi are harmful to the body.

Answer 4

Bacteria can be harmful to the body if the species of bacteria is a harmful one. It can cause food poisoning, infect wounds, and pollute water. Some harmful types of bacteria are MRSA, E. Coli, and gangrene.

Answer 5

No. Our bodies are teeming with organisms that are essential to life and health. The flora in our digestive systems, a wide variety of bacteria, help us with digestion; in fact, we could not digest food very well at all if they were completely absent.

Answer 6

the microbes affect the body as the two cheeks with the bottom of the cheeks and makes them get fat.

Answer 7

Not always. Most organisms that take advantage of our hospitality are either harmless or beneficial.

Answer 8

Microorganisms as harmful beings: Micro organisms like Bacteria and Virus cause diseases in humans and they can even cause death

Answer 9

No,this is not harmful gas