Germs: Prevent the spread of infectious diseases

Abstract

Germs cannot be avoided. They live everywhere. Most germs do not harm people. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus brought the concept of germs as infectious agents to the public's attention, which generated fear of germs in some people. Home health nurses can reduce clients' fear of germs by educating them about the differences between bacteria and viruses, two of the more common types of germs or infectious agents, and can teach them how to reduce their risk of getting diseases caused by these germs. © 2010 SAGE Publications.