Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Contacts have become less of a rare commodity and more of a necessity for those with vision problems who do not want to be troubled with wearing glasses every day. But as common as contacts are, so are the bacterial infections they can harbor. Many …
Healthy gut microbiota and bacteria helps digest food, fight infection, and plays an important role in keeping the immune system healthy. It is influenced by genetics, but more so by diet, stress and other environmental factors. Numerous studies have investigated the claim that intestinal bacteria …
Research carried out by the experts at Aquaint sanitizer earlier this month have uncovered some disgusting facts that may make you want to choose a destination you can drive to this vacation season. Many people report feeling sick after an airplane ride – from runny noses to sore throats. This study found that the airplane you take to reach your summer get-a-way could be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Founder of Aquaint, Bola Lafe explains, “Sickness and ill health can put a damper or even ruin well-deserved holidays abroad that have been planned for months or even years. Airplanes, airports, cruise ships, and hotels can all be breeding grounds for bacteria.”
The study researched amounts and locations of bacteria on planes and found they are teeming with bacteria that plays host to numerous illnesses. According to the study, your luggage comes into contact with up to 80 million bacteria before you can even make it to your “clean” hotel room. This is due to the fact that there are so many people who actually handle your luggage at the airport. Each person’s hands can carry about 10 million bacteria at one time.
In a similar study done by the Today show, it was discovered that bacteria is responsible for causing “the common cold, influenza, E. coli, listeria and even the deadly MRSA, which have all been located in airports and on planes.”
And what are you always sure to bring plenty of on vacation? Money. A study done by NYU found that paper money can breed hundreds of different kinds of bacteria. Jane Carlton, director of genome sequencing at NYU, stated that the amount of microbes that grow on money is “quite amazing.”
Fox News interviewed an anonymous member of a cabin crew from an undisclosed New York airline. The crew member stated, “Cleaners don’t have time to thoroughly clean the planes between journeys, as they are constantly under pressure to provide quick turnaround. I have seen passengers change their baby’s diaper on the tray table, cut their fingernails on board, and even urinate in the seat. The carpets are filthy, and the toilet floors are the worst.”
How can you prevent getting sick after your journey? Fox Health suggests 4 health tips to help:
Stay hydrated: According to the Mayo Clinic, dehydration causes dry mouth, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Use a nasal spray to keep your nose and throat lubricated.
Sanitize everything: Always wash your hands and use sanitizer while on the plane. Wipe down your tray table, arm rest and even the seat belt buckle.
Bring your own blankets and pillows: The airline does not wash its sheets and pillows right after you use them. They can be reused up to 5 times before it is washed again. Bring your own to avoid germs and bacteria.
Don’t walk barefoot: Most people wear sandals while on a plane but the carpets are filthy and do not regularly get cleaned. Always keep your footwear on your feet while walking around an airplane.
Source: http://www.foxnews.com
When you hear the term “the plague” it is common that you automatically think back to grade school when you learned about its history and how it wiped out about 60% of Europe’s population in the 14th century. Historians and researchers now know that the …
Photo by Michael Jasmund on Unsplash Your bathroom, kitchen and living room are probably the biggest areas that you target when cleaning your home. Of course, you make sure to scrub the toilet and wash the dishes. But what if you are not cleaning some …
This year, the number of companies who have recalled their most well-known products has skyrocketed. From apples to frozen foods, the number of items lining the shelves in your favorite supermarket seem to be steadily decreasing. This is because of a very serious bacteria named Listeria.
Listeria is a bacteria that does not differentiate between hot and cold, meaning that it can grow and flourish in just about any temperature. The bacteria is pathogenic (infectious to humans) and can cause flu-like symptoms such as nausea, muscle aches and high fever. It is most commonly found in soil and water and it’s carried by animals such as birds and cows. Most animals that carry the bacteria show no symptoms, so it is very easily transferable. Recently, Listeria has infected much of our food supply, particularly dairy products, vegetables and raw meats.
According to CNN.com, Listeriosis has a greater effect on the elderly, pregnant women, newborns and people with weak immune systems. In the U.S., an estimated 1,600 people have become seriously ill from the bacteria each year. Sixteen percent of these cases have resulted in death. To protect yourself and your family, the USDA (United States Drug Association) recommends cooking meat thoroughly, washing all raw vegetables and fruit and keeping your refrigerator below 40 degrees.
Sources: www.cnn.com, www.fda.gov