The History of Germs [Infographic]

Essentially, bacteria was the first type of life to form on planet Earth, which is why advancing in technology to help understand bacteria and germs is so important today. Germs have technically been around for more than 3,500 million years, and were only first recognized in the 1670s, when Atnon van Leeuwenhoek first began looking at different microorganisms underneath a microscope. Understanding germs and bacteria today allows us to move forward with vaccines, cures and medicine to boost our immune systems and to increase our overall lifespan.

Types of Germs
There are four types of germs that are categorized individually. Bacteria is considered single-cell creatures, which often require a microscope to view. Bacteria lurks just about everywhere on the planet, ranging from the air, water, soil and even on the human body. It is possible to find bacteria on nearly all surfaces and spaces of the earth with a microscope.

A virus is another type of germ which requires a host to survive and continue on. Viruses are capable of reproducing and growing on their own with the right host and amount of food. Viruses live within a the actual cell of an animal, human being or even a living plant.

Fungi is another type of germ that lives off of plants and animals. It is made up of a number of cells. Additionally, protozoa is the final type of germ, which is extraordinary small, similar to bacteria itself. There are more than 20,000 different types of protozoa known to man today. Protozoa can be found in ponds, rivers, lakes, oceans and any type of body of water.

Deadliest Germs
Some of the deadliest germs still exist on earth today, which is why hygiene and being proactive with your health is essential to avoid them. E Coli is one of the most deadliest germs that is found just about everywhere. It is pathogens that trigger deadly diseases and illnesses in humans, which can ultimately be fatal.

Salmonella is another deadly germ that has the ability to take two forms. One of the forms of salmonella, typhi, triggers thypoid fever in its human host, responsible for more than 216,000 deaths a year.

Tetanus is another deadly germ which is dirt carrying spores which can lead to sickness and is potentially fatal. Streptococcus is another germ that is responsible for a large number of deaths due to pneumonia and meningitis.