Nasty Germs and Bacteria
What are germs?
The term "germs" refers to the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease.
What types of germs exist?
BACTERIA - are tiny, single-celled organisms that get nutrients from their environments. In some cases, that environment is your child or some other living being. Some bacteria are good for our bodies - they help keep the digestive system in working order and keep harmful bacteria from moving in. Some bacteria are used to produce medicines and vaccines. But bacteria can cause trouble, too, like cavities, urinary tract infections, or strep throat.
VIRUSES - can't survive, grow, and reproduce unless a person or an animal puts up rental space. Viruses can only live for a very short time outside other living cells. For example, germs in infected bodily fluids left on surfaces like a countertop or toilet seat can live there for a short time, but quickly die unless a live host comes along. Once they've moved into someone's body, though, viruses spread easily and can make a person sick. Viruses are responsible for some minor sicknesses like colds, as well as extremely serious diseases like smallpox or HIV/AIDS.
FUNGI-are multi-celled, plant-like organisms that usually aren't dangerous in a healthy person. Fungi get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments. Two common fungal infections are athlete's foot and yeast infections. People who have weakened immune systems (from diseases like HIV or cancer) may develop more serious fungal infections.
PROTOZOA- are, like bacteria, one-celled organisms. Once organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa invade a body, they get ready to stay for a while. These germs draw all their energy from the host. They may damage or destroy healthy cells. As they use up your nutrients and energy, most will produce waste products, known as toxins.
Where can we find germs and bacteria?
Our homes are not as safe from germs as we think they are. Many common household items are some of the biggest bacteria magnets around.
Bacteria loves to hide in our homes, specifically in the kitchen, the sink drain and in the garbage disposal. The kitchen sink drain is a major breeding ground for bacteria because the combination of trapped food particles and moist conditions are ideal for opportunistic bacteria to multiply.The kitchen sponge is also a favorite hiding spot for bacteria.
Other top spots for bacteria are the toilet bowl and the bathtub.
A recent US survey shows that most people do not realize that germs are hiding on many common objects outdoors, including playground equipment, picnic tables and ATMs.
This survey shows that people have a false sense of security when it comes to germs. This lack of knowledge about where germs lurk is a real health problem, because people touch contaminated objects and 80 percent of infections are spread through hand contact.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that hand hygiene is an important way to prevent the spread of germs that may make you and others sick.
The survey also demonstrated that although the need for proper hand hygiene is great, most respondents admit they do not clean their hands often enough.
In addition to measuring awareness of germs outdoors, the survey showed that many people are unaware of where germs lurk in their homes and offices.
Key findings from the survey:
- Sixty-four percent of the public thought that a public restroom doorknob has more germs than an ATM but ATMs have more germs.
- Outdoor port-o-potties are actually cleaner than picnic tables, shopping cart handles, escalator handles and playground equipment. Playground equipment is the dirtiest of the bunch, presenting a health danger to children.
- The kitchen sink is one of the 'germiest' places in the house; it is even more contaminated with bacteria than the toilet bowl and garbage can.
- Most people are not aware that their office desks, computer keyboards and elevator buttons in their office buildings are "germier" than the toilet seat at work.
How can I protect myself?
It is well known that infections can be acquired from direct and indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.
There are many potential sources of infection including:
- Inanimate objects (such as kitchen surfaces, dish cloths, toilet seats, door handles, infected equipment, where bacteria are harboured)
- Infected people (e.g., carrying colds or influenza)
- Food (e.g. salmonella resulting in diarrhoea)
- Pets and animals (e.g. toxoplasmosis)
In the home, it's easy to maintain good hygiene practice through simple daily measures such as cleaning with disinfectant products and regular hand washing to prevent cross-contamination. But, do cleaning and disinfectant products really help? There is a wealth of scientific evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of anti-microbial and disinfectant products in destroying a wide range of micro-organisms many of which are found in the home.
In a survey of 100 home washing machines, 44% were found to contain bacteria including E. coli. Clothes, linen, towels, flannels, and other fabrics should be laundered at a high temperature (60°C).
PureProtect Can Help
Today we are increasingly aware of the risk of infection and the implications of poor hygiene standards. New strains of influenza seem to be in the news increasingly. We all need to review our personal and corporate hygiene and germ protection protocols.
PureProtect delivers exceptional germ protection programmes for the commercial and residential markets delivered by our local Franchise Owners who are trained technicians and using our unique non toxic, non allergenic, long lasting antimicrobial products.
Our bacteria treatment services will dramatically improve air quality and reduce the incidence of asthma and allergies, kitchens, bathrooms, in the work place, employee sickness, cost to business, spraying cross contamination points for long term protection.
