What is an infection?

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Have you ever gotten a cut or a scratch and had a grown-up clean it out very quickly so that you wouldn't get infected?  An infection happens when germs get into our bodies and start to make us sick or make us hurt.  These germs are tiny living things that are so small that we can't even see them without a microscope! They get very comfortable inside our bodies. Since they are alive,  they need the right conditions to grow. Our bodies help them do that.  Of course, it's not so helpful to us. We get sick!

If we have a cold, that's a type of infection. If you have a cut that gets really red or swolen, or maybe just gets really gross looking,  that's a type of infection too. Even the cleanest people can get infections, so if you do get one, it doesn't mean you're dirty.  Infections can happen to anyone. Washing your hands several times a day and cleaning out any cuts right after you get them certainly help to better stop germs from getting into your body and causing infections.

Most times, our bodies can fight infections on their own.  Sometimes we might need to take a trip to the doctor.  If you think you might have an infection, tell a grown-up so they can help you find out how to handle it.

Vitamin C!

Grown-ups always say to eat your fruits and vegetables.  There's good reason. They contain vitamins that keep us healthy. One of those vitamins is called Vitamin C, and it's found in lots of fruits and vegetables. Oranges, strawberries, red peppers, brocolli, kiwifruit, papaya, grapefruit, spinach and garlic are just a few of many good sources of this vitamin. What makes this vitamin so special is that it helps make our immune systems stronger!  Our immune systems are the special parts of our body that fight off germs and help to get rid of infections.

Hopefully on that list of fruits and vegetables, you'll find one (or more) that you like!  They are tasty and easy ways to help keep you healthy and stop infections before they make you sick.