Final answer:
Germs, or pathogens, are tiny organisms that cause diseases, including bacteria and viruses. These microorganisms are generally too small to see without magnification and can be spread from person to person. The germ theory of disease explains that these microbes are the cause of many diseases, and hand washing is a crucial practice to prevent their spread.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tiny organisms that cause disease are commonly known as germs. A more scientific term for a germ is a pathogen. Pathogens are responsible for infectious diseases and come in various forms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths. While bacteria are single-celled organisms that can be treated with antibiotics, viruses require different approaches, such as vaccines, for prevention and antiviral drugs for treatment. It is important to note that while most bacteria do not cause disease, those that do can spread from person to person, making diseases they cause contagious.
Microorganisms, also known as microbes, are so small they generally require a microscope to be seen. Despite their size, they can have a huge impact on human health. The germ theory of disease is the scientific concept that these microorganisms are the cause of many diseases. History shows that before the invention of the microscope, the existence of microbes was largely unknown, and the concept of germs as a cause of disease took time to become established.
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, basic hygiene practices such as washing hands are essential. Microbes live on numerous surfaces and can be transferred to our hands and then enter our bodies if we touch our face. This is one of the reasons why hand washing is a pivotal recommendation from health professionals and microbiologists.