What are pathogens?

Pathogens are tiny troublemakers that make us feel icky when they get into our bodies.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy, and suddenly it starts to itch or burn. That’s like what happens when pathogens, which are super small creatures, land on your skin or go inside your body. They’re so tiny that you can’t see them without a really powerful magnifying glass.

Think of pathogens as sneaky little guests who come to your party and don’t want to leave. Some pathogens are like bugs, they crawl or swim into your body and start causing trouble, making you cough, sneeze, or feel achy. Others might be like invisible invaders that hide inside your cells and multiply until you’re too tired to play.

Have you ever gotten sick after being around someone who was coughing? That’s because they passed along pathogens, tiny troublemakers that traveled through the air or touched things you did, too. Now it's your turn to feel icky!