Bitty Health Tip: Help Prevent the Spread of Illness

Help Prevent the Spread of Illness

Hello Bitty Luvs! Due to the most recent events of Ebola and the Enterovirus D68, I thought I would put out some information to help others out.  This holds a special place in my heart because I come from a medical background, and I work at the Centers for Disease Control as my full-time job when I am not blogging.  I'm not going to repeat information that you can learn on your own, I'm sure you all have heard about it on the news, and have access to a computer or smartphone since you are reading this blog.  Ahhh, the power of the Internet and technology. 

So a few tips in preventing the spread of illness that you may not be aware of.  The days have passed since I actually "liked" getting sick..the days when I was a child, and wanted to have an excuse to stay home and sleep all day.  But let's face it, once you become old enough, you don't want to get sick because it is annoying, and frankly, does not feel good and in some cases, can be very dangerous if you have medical conditions.

These tips below may help you if you are traveling and even if you were not, it will help you from getting sick (I hope).  

What is a "Respiratory Illness"?

Respiratory illness affects a person's ability to breath, affecting organs as your lungs, and sinuses.  Illnesses like the common cold, or the flu are spread from one person to another through droplets of bodily fluids from the mucus membranes become airborne.  For example, when you sneeze or cough, the tiny droplets become airborne and get into the mouth or nose of people who are within close proximity.  Bacterial germs can live on the surfaces nearby, for example, a desk, doorknobs, etc. They usually can live on the hard surfaces for about 2 hours or longer.  If a non-infected person touches the surface and touches his or her mouth, nose, eyes, the person can be infected.  Basically, any moist membrane on your body.

You can stop a Respiratory Illness by taking simple steps.  DO NOT cough or sneeze into your hands.  We learn this in elementary school.  If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth using your arm, or a tissue.  If using a tissue, throw it away immediately into a trash receptacle. 

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN, use hand sanitizer, wash it before you eat, after you go to the bathroom, after you sneeze or cough.  DO NOT SHARE FOODS or DRINKS.

If you are infected with a respiratory illness, make sure to go to the doctor.  You do not want to let it get to the point where you neglect it so much and cause yourself to not get enough oxygen, especially if you have a history of asthma.  There are treatments the physician can give you, steroids to help your lungs get stronger.  A nebulizer machine with treatments, a inhaler, etc. 

What is a "Foodborne Illnesses"

Foodborne illnesses stem from eating contaminated food.  It may be undercooked, or is contaminated with a virus or some kind of bacteria, or worst...contain a parasite.  Have you ever watched the show "Monster Inside Me" on the Animal Planet? If you haven't, I suggest that you watch it if you want to learn about parasites and the destruction they can cause within one's body. 
                                                                                    
Practice good food safety by ensuring that you consume foods that are fully cooked, and served at the proper temperature.  I am very cautious, and I always order any meats well done, and stay away from raw meats/fish.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE sushi.  But I do not consume any raw fish.  It's my personal preference, but I have been a witness to what happens to a person's body who had obtained a parasite.  It's not a pretty picture.  Trust me, you DO NOT want a parasite coming out of any openings on your body.

Wash all fruits and vegetables.  You never know what kind of bacteria is on an exterior of a fruit or vegetable.  Washing fruits and vegetables can remove any fertilizer, or any chemicals that may be on the surface.  Plus, you don't know who had touched the fruit or vegetable before you.  No matter if you are at a farmer's market, local grocery store, or picking it from a farm.  Wash it!

Drink dairy products or juices that have been pasteurized, drink beverages that have been bottled with a seal.  If the seal is broken, don't drink it. 

If you do contract a foodborne illness and you soil yourself, whether it is from vomiting, or having a bathroom "accident", make sure you wash yourself off, and wash your clothing, etc.  Clean up after yourself, throw away any vomit, disinfect the surface, and wash your hands with soap and water. 

Avoid Touching Your Face

Have you ever watched the movie Contagion? In a part of the movie, it talks about how people do not realize how often they touch their face in a day.  Bottom line, touching your face is gross.  Bacteria and viruses are easily spread by being transferred from your finger tips onto your skin.  It can cause acne and develop contact dermatitis and herpes simplex.  For example, if you have herpes on your lips (cold sore), or herpes from your genitals and touch or rub your eye, the bacteria can transfer and cause you to get herpes in your eye.  Remember, bacteria thrives in moist places.    If you already are acne prone, touching your face all the time can trigger more acne to develop. 

Sit back and think of all the items you touch in a single day.  You touch door handles, public restrooms, escalators, elevator buttons, workplace fridge, vending machines, money, and more.  Now think of who else may have touched those same surfaces before you..and after you.  Someone could have had their finger in their nose, touched that same area, and you touched it..now you're touching your face.  GROSS.  Let's face it, not everyone in the world has the same hygiene practices.  A bottle of hand sanitizer is about $0.99 cents at Walmart.  You can also purchase a travel Lysol spray.  Or purchase a medical face mask at your local store.   If you are ill, stay away from school or the workplace.  Take vitamins, and any prescribed medicines. 

I'm not saying be a germaphobe, but just be aware.  Wash your hands often with soap and water.  Make better judgements.  We all need to have heightened awareness, especially during these times.  Life is getting crazy with all the diseases, viruses, etc.  Take precaution and be safe.  I hope this helps some people out and to shed some light and get your minds thinking.  I would love to hear any practices that you may do to help spread illness in your daily activities.  Leave any comments below or if you have questions.