Droplet Precautions for Control of Infection

Droplet precautions or airborne infection control is one of the health practices that we really need nowadays. A sneeze or cough from an infected person could spray germ-loaded droplets into the air because viruses and bacteria that infects the lungs, trachea, throat, sinuses and nasal passages are present in mucus and saliva.

Why airborne infections are so common? In almost every public places people cough and sneeze, loading the air with with droplets of saliva for other people to inhale. Number of respiratory infections can be impressively lessened  if all of us realizes the danger of droplet infection.

Droplets caused by sneezing or coughing are usually large (more than 5 microns) and mostly covers only a short distance (about 3-6 feet). Direct inhalation of infected droplets causes the highest risk of transmission that occurs when you are too close to infected person after sneezing or coughing. Settled droplets on surrounding surfaces could also cause infection.

Droplet precautions or airborne infection control should be practiced. Nose and mouth should be covered during a sneeze or cough with a tissue paper then dispose the infected tissue paper properly after. You may be an infected individual or not, hand washing is really important too to for prevention and control of diseases.

Get Rid of Arthropod- borne Diseases

Arthropod- borne diseases are carried by mosquitos, ticks, mites, lice, house fly, cockroach, fleas, kissing bugs, reduviid bugs, tsetse flies, phlebotomine sandflies, black flies and deer flies. Some examples of arthropod-borne diseases are dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, west nile fever, typhoid, dysentery, epidemin typhus, trench fever, filariasis, spotted fever, bubonic plague, murine typhus, and African sleeping sickness.

These arthropods carry diseases in three different ways. First, the pathogenic organism experience a full of twist and turns life cycle that involves an insect in certain stages and some stages in human host. Best example of arthropod- borne diseases for this method of transmission is malaria.

In second method insect is an alternate host. Organisms that causes infectious diseases are carried as internal parasites in insects. Infected arthropods could infect humans as they have their bloody-meal. Examples of arthropod- borne diseases for this method of transmission are yellow fever, bubonic plague and typhus.

In third method of transmission arthropods acts as mechanical carriers of various infectious agents. House fly and cockroach are examples of mechanical carriers. In this method insects take a trip from source of infection like garbage to foods or go directly to a person or on things that a person usually touch. Microorganisms are carried on their sticky feet or on the bodies of mechanical carriers. Examples of arthropod- borne diseases for this method of transmission are typhoid and dysentery.

Here are some examples of arthropods and arthropod-borne diseases that could infect humans:

Mosquito- Dengue, Filariasis, West Nile fever, Yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, Ross River fever and St Louis encephalitis

Tick- Lyme, Relapsing fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis

Body louse- Epidemic typhus, Plague, Trench fever

Flea- Endemic typhus, Murine typhus, Bubonic plague

Sandfly- Leishmaniasis, Bartonellosis/Oroya fever, Sandfly fever

Black fly- Onchocerciasis (River blindness)

Tsetse fly- Trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness)

House fly and cockroaches- typhoid, dysentery, etc

Be healthy by getting rid of the carriers of arthropod- borne diseases.

How to Avoid from Acquiring Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an infection or inflammation of vulva-vaginal area. What causes vaginitis? Normally, genito-urinary system are thrived by microorganisms, change in pH (acidity or alkalinity) may cause these microorganisms of normal flora to become infectious. Aside from that, vaginitis could also be caused by germs transferred from rectum or carried by male sexual partner and been transmitted through sexual contact. Low immune system due to lack of sleep, stress and poor diet may also trigger vaginitis. What are the symptoms of vaginitis? Itching or burning sensation of vulva, abnormal discharge and desire to void frequently are the usual symptoms.

How can you avoid vaginitis? As they say, “cleanliness is next to Godliness”, we need to be clean always. Try to use non-soap cleansers in washing the vaginal area and avoid use of other people’s towel. Spray, soaps, and talcum powder is not necessary, better eradicate it because it could only trigger vaginosis due to change in pH of the vaginal area. Wear cotton underpants to allow air circulation not those that are made of synthetic material because it could retain moisture that may enhance multiplication of microorganisms on vaginal area. Too tight pants is not good too. Coffee, alcohol, sugar and refined carbohydrates has great effect on vaginal pH too so better have limitation on taking these foods.

Boost your immune system and maintain cleanliness, these are the keys to fight against vaginosis. Douch is also good when it is done occassionally to thoroughly clean the vaginal area.

Strengthen Your Immune System

Be aware! Strengthen your immune system. You might be transmitted by non-seasonal viral or bacterial infection like respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Its manifestations? Cough, colds, sore throat, mucous production and fever. You can get those respiratory tract infections through droplet inhalation like Influenza A (H1N1).

If you suffered the symptoms I mentioned above, you need to rest, a bed rest, and increase your fluid intake. Mucolytic, decongestant and paracetamol medications are sometimes necessary for you to feel better. And, doctor may prescribe you an antibiotic in case you are suffering from bacterial infection. So, if symptoms persist after 24 hours of rest, better go to your doctor.

They say that prevention is better than cure. And, how can you prevent from getting infected from respiratory tract infections and other illnesses? Strengthen your immune system by taking nutritious foods, particularly plant foods such as fruits and vegetables. Having time for exercise everyday and good night sleep matters too in strengthening your immune system. And, as much as possible avoid  crowded places.

The Great Advantage of Using Copper Kitchen Sinks

Have you seen the beauty of copper kitchen sinks? They are not just nice to look at that could fit any kitchen design of your choice but they have health benefits too. Foodborne diseases is not new to us, did you know that bacteria could not thrive too long on copper? Copper are naturally antibacterial, searching on the web of the studies that proves that copper is naturally antibacterial will really amaze you.

Common pathogens of foodborne diseases such as Salmonella and Campylobacter could not multiply in copper. Even Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is usually recovered from various infections including food poisoning could not thrive too long in copper. Copper is also toxic to other microorganisms aside from bacteria, no wonder our body needs copper too. Copper kitchen sink’s beauty, elegance and quality speaks a lot aside from being antibacterial. What other kitchen sinks you know could give you all those benefits?