Pathogenic microorganisms are microorganisms that threaten the proper functioning of the body. Their microscopic size makes them imperceptible to the naked eye. Many of them parasitize on other organisms, such as animals, but in humans they cause infectious diseases. Hands are the most common carrier of bacteria, viruses, parasite eggs, and fungi responsible for diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory diseases, influenza, food poisoning, and parasitic infections. Regular use of antimicrobial gels and sprays effectively prevents many diseases, and limits their further spread.Pathogenic microorganisms are microorganisms that threaten the proper functioning of the body. Their microscopic size makes them imperceptible to the naked eye. Many of them parasitize on other organisms, such as animals, but in humans they cause infectious diseases. Hands are the most common carrier of bacteria, viruses, parasite eggs, and fungi responsible for diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory diseases, influenza, food poisoning, and parasitic infections. Regular use of antimicrobial gels and sprays effectively prevents many diseases, and limits their further spread.

Parasites:

• Ascaris lumbricoides, which attacks the small intestine. The disease caused by this roundworm is called ascariasis, and infection is most often accompanied by general weakness, dizziness, swelling of the face, hyperactivity and allergies.
• Itch mite, which attacks the skin. The disease caused by it is called scabies. After infecting the body, the parasite tunnels into the skin, causing itching and skin rash.
• Whipworm, which attacks the large intestine. Whipworm infection often manifests itself through anemia.
• Tapeworm, which attacks the small intestine. One possible way of infection is transmission by contaminated hands. Infection can cause such symptoms as headache, fatigue, insomnia, hyperactivity, weakness, lack of appetite or ravenous appetite, weight loss, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and anemia.
• Pinworm, which attacks the intestine. It is one of the most widespread parasites, especially among children. It is carried by dirty hands, and typical symptoms of pinworm infection are redness and itching of the skin in the anus area, hyperactivity, headache, weakness, lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain and anemia.
• Cat roundworm and dog roundworm, which attack the liver, lungs, eyes, brain and other organs. They cause toxocariasis, also called the sandbox disease, because children playing in sandboxes are exposed to the infection, due to their bringing their dirty hands, and other items, into their mouths, thereby introducing the parasite into their bodies. The course of the disease is often masked, and the symptoms depend on where the larvae are located. Those symptoms may include high fever, abdominal pain, coughing, dyspnea, and vision problems.

Protozoa:

• Giardia lamblia, which attacks the digestive tract. Giardia infection occurs as a result of the ingestion of cysts. Giardiasis is one of the most common dirty hands diseases. Infection may be asymptomatic, or the symptoms may be diverse and ambiguous, depending on the age and condition of the infected organism, and the type of Giardia strain. The symptoms may include nausea, lack of appetite, diarrhea, bloating, fever, cramping abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, insomnia, and allergies. A common symptom in children is watery diarrhea.

Viruses:

• Enteroviruses, which attack the digestive tract. The symptoms of infection include abdominal pain, acute diarrhea, vomiting, yellowish coloration of the skin and conjunctiva, weakness, and lack of appetite. The viruses are transmitted through feces, so the typical cause of infection is an ineffective washing of the hands after using the toilet. Enteroviruses may cause hepatitis A, the so-called infectious jaundice.
• Influenza viruses. Flu is transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets (e.g. while sneezing), and by hands (by touching an infected area, and then bringing the hands to the mouth). It produces acute symptoms in the whole body. An effective protection against infection involves disinfection of the hands and surfaces, as well as the usage of protective face masks by infected persons.
• Rotaviruses, which attack the digestive system. The main symptoms of rotavirus infection are: an increased body temperature, acute diarrhea, and vomiting. Rotavirus infection is commonly called stomach flu.
• Adenoviruses, which attack the urinary system, digestive system, respiratory system and the eyes. Depending on the affected system, the symptoms of infection may include: pharyngitis, cough, bronchitis, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
• Noroviruses, which attack the digestive system; Symptoms include shivering, fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, muscle and joint pain, and headache.
• Caliciviruses, which cause stomach and intestinal inflammation. The symptoms associated with the infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
• Astroviruses, which cause gastroenteritis, which is characterized by acute diarrhea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain and fever.

Bacteria:

• Salmonella, which attacks the digestive system. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.
• E. coli, which attacks the digestive tract. Causes vomiting and severe diarrhea.
• Shigella, which attacks the digestive tract. The symptoms of infection include diarrhea and abdominal pain.
• Staphylococcus aureus, which causes respiratory and skin disorders, pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis, phlebitis, myocarditis, and can lead to bone infection. The most common symptoms of staph infection are skin lesions, such as boils, abscesses and impetigo, or even stye.

REMEMBER: poor hygiene habits of the youngest are a cause of respiratory tract, skin and digestive tract infections, while poor hygiene habits of the adults not only cause diarrheal diseases in themselves, but also lead to infecting children and other persons.