Infectious diseases account for millions of lost school days each year. It’s
not surprising when you think about it because school is all about
sharing: desks, books, pens, bathrooms, doorknobs, water
fountains, computers and…germs. From colds…to the flu…to
skin infections. Students share close contact with other
students and teachers all day, every day. Students and staff
can bring illnesses home with them and can unknowingly
infect family members.
*** Clean hands are critical ***
One of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or eyes after touching someone or something that is contaminated with the cold or rhinovirus virus. Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold!
Fifty percent of your middle-level students are probably not washing their hands after using the bathroom – and they’re putting you, your colleagues, and their classmates at risk…every single day (Guinan, 1997).
Another infectious disease that can be transmitted through close contact is MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria that lives on the skin and in the nose of many people. It does not always cause an infection. Over the years, some Staphylococcus aureus has changed and become harder to treat. Some common antibiotics no longer work to treat a Staphylococcus aureus infection when it occurs. This is what is known as resistance. MRSA is a type of resistant bacteria.
It is crucial that students and staff be aware of prevention methods to stop the spread of germs to maintain a healthy environment.
Germs Away is part of the NARP educational program efforts to introduce basic concepts related to the
spread of infectious diseases through contact.
This seventy-page activity guide is designed for Grade 4- 6 educators and students, with learning outcomes related to health
and science.
PDF [10.76 Mb] PDF [10.76Mb]For information on how to teach the Germs Away curriculum please see the NARP.ca Podcast series "How to Teach Germs Away"
We have also developed three hand-washing posters aimed at children.
8.5" x 11"
PDF [762 Ko] (8.5" x 11") PDF [646 Ko](8.5" x 11") PDF [695 Ko](8.5" x 11")12" x 18"
PDF [664 Ko] (12" x 18") PDF [736 Ko] (12" x 18") PDF [772 Ko] (12" x 18")Germs Away Development Team:
Michael Mulvey Ph.D. -
NARP Co-Lead, Chief, Antimicrobial Resistance and Nosocomial Infections
Kirsten Leach - BScN NARP Program Educator
Amanda Graessli - BScN, RN NARP Project Coordinator
Brian Szklarczuk - MPA Manager, Research Promotion & Outreach, Public Health Agency of Canada
Carole Freynet-Gagne - Communication Freynet-Gagne
Design and Layout
Steve Silcox - Research Promotion Specialist, Public Health Agency of Canada
Illustrations
Sandy Debreuil -
Debreuil Digital
NARP Education Committee Members:
Barb Brooks - Community Health Nurse, Red Earth First Nation
Dr George Golding - Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Manitoba
Dr James Irvine - Medical Health Officer, Population Health Unit, MCR and KYHealth Regions, AH Authority, University of
Saskatchewan:
Shirley Patton - A/Director, Blood Safety Surveillance & Health Care Acquired Infections, Health Canada
Donna Stockdale - Manager, Population Health Unit, MCR and KY Health Regions, AH Authority
Shirley Woods - Nurse Epidemiologist, Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority
NARP Partner Organizations:
Cadham Provincial Laboratory, Manitoba Health
Health Canada
Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Keewatin Yatthe Regional Health Authority
Kelsey Trail Health Region
Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority
Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority
Public Health Agency of Canada
Saskatchewan Provincial Public Health Laboratory
NARP Funding Organizations:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute for Infection and Immunity
Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network
University of Manitoba, Department of Medical Microbiology / NARP Partner Organizations
Jared
Voice by: Dan Roy
Stephanie
Voice by: Stephanie Blandford
Germs
Voice by: Debreuil Digital (English), Miguel Parent (French)
Game Concept
Steve Silcox & Miguel Parent
Producer
Brian Szklarczuk
Scientific Lead & Review
Michael Mulvey Ph.D., Dr. George Golding & Dr. James Irvine
Script Development
Robin & Sandy Debreuil & Brian Szklarczuk
Animation & Programming
Robin & Sandy Debreuil (Debreuil Digital)
Audio Post-production & Editing
Norm Dugas Studios
Northern Antibiotic Resistance Partnership Education Committee Members www.Narp.ca
