Tag Archives: infection

Don’t share your deodorant or antiperspirant with anyone else!

29 Monday Oct 2018

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According to a study by the University of Kansas, bacteria survive and even thrive on the surface of solid and gel deodorants and antiperspirants. And that could lead to a staph infection. Microbiologist Dr. Jack Brown analyzed 20 different perspiration products, and the bacteria managed to thrive on half the samples. That may not sound bad, but Dr. Brown points out that bacteria that’s harmless for one person can be hazardous to another – especially if one of the users has under-arm skin that’s either broken or irritated.

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If there’s a loofah in your shower, toss it.

05 Friday Oct 2018

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Because it’s a germophobe’s nightmare. Here’s how bad it is, according to dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. She says, with every use, you’re transferring the bacteria from your skin to the loofah. And because the scrubber has so many nooks and crannies, your dead skin cells get trapped, and bacteria starts multiplying, thanks to the moisture and a lack of air circulation. That means, every time you scrub with a loofah, you’re just spreading around the bacteria you washed off yesterday.
Plus, scrubbing too hard can literally make tiny scratches in your skin, forcing the bacteria through the wounds, which can make you sick or give you an infection. If you can’t give up your loofah – make sure you use a natural one… and sanitize it the same way you would your kitchen sponge. Zap it in the microwave while it’s wet for 20 seconds once a day.

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So you caught a summer cold…

26 Tuesday Jun 2018

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Don’t let it turn into something more serious, like a respiratory infection. And you can do that by gargling with salt water once a day. A Japanese study found that gargling with salt water not only soothed a sore throat – it reduced the odds of a more serious infection by 40%. That’s because salt is anti-microbial and anti-viral… so it removes microscopic viruses from the soft tissues of the throat. It also loosens mucus so you can cough it up and get it out.

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This is how germs are spread!

22 Tuesday May 2018

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We know that coughing and sneezing spreads germs. Now, researchers say, so do singing, whistling and laughing!

Virologists at Singapore’s National University Hospital say singing produces an even stronger, “more penetrating plume of infection” than coughing. How do they know? Because the researchers used a gigantic mirror and high-speed camera to watch the splatter of saliva… and they figured out exactly how far those flu droplets flew when someone was singing!

So what’s the point of this research? Researchers can apply it to how far apart hospital beds need to be to prevent airborne infection. But for us, we should steer clear of strangers who are whistling on their way to work – and maybe avoid close contact with singers on karaoke night! Keep a minimum distance of 20 feet… and know that viral droplets can stay suspended in the air for up to 10 minutes.

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When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush?

08 Thursday Feb 2018

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Experts say it should be every 3 months… Because when the bristles start to fray, they leave plaque behind, which can lead to infected, bleeding gums. And you’ll brush too hard to compensate for those frayed bristles… Which can easily lead to mega-sensitive gums and teeth, V‑shaped notches near your gum-line, and even tooth loss. So get a new toothbrush every season, and you’ll get to keep all your teeth.
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What makes you 400% more likely to catch a cold?

18 Monday Dec 2017

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Getting 6 hours of sleep a night or less. So the next time you hear someone bragging about how they don’t need more than 5 hours a night, steer clear of them. Because they could already be spewing out infectious droplets. And 30% of the population gets 6 hours a night or less. But the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that less than 1% of the population is biologically capable of comfortably running on that amount of sleep, and functioning normally.

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Do you have a cold or allergies – and need to blow your nose?

28 Thursday Sep 2017

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Hum before you blow!
That’s because hard blowing can trigger “reflux nasal congestion” – or swelling of the sinuses that can trap infection-causing mucus and keep you sick longer… That’s according to ear, nose and throat doctor, Jordan Josephson.

Instead, hum in a low tone. The vibrations will stimulate the hairs in your nose, helping them whisk away mucus down the back of your throat. Then, gently blow your nose to clear out the debris.

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The danger of wearing earbuds while exercising

26 Wednesday Apr 2017

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If you exercise while wearing earbuds – you’re at risk from cardio ear! It’s similar to swimmer’s ear – because when sweat collects in your ear canal, it can cause an infection within 24-hours. Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Eugene Chio says when sweat gets trapped in your ear, it creates the perfect moist environment for bacteria to thrive. So how do you know if you have cardio ear? It’ll be painful, throbbing with an oozy discharge… and it’s not just gross, it’s dangerous. It could rupture your eardrum! So give your earbuds a rest at least once a week – and go old-school with over-the-ear headphones.

Vaccinations and your children!

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

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If your kid was vaccinated against the measles – but his friend wasn’t – cancel any playdates or sleepovers. Because even though the measles vaccine is 99% effective – that still leaves a 1% chance your kid can get sick. That’s according to the infectious disease experts at Seattle Children’s Hospital. So even though it’s a long-shot your kids will be infected, why risk it? And yes, the vaccine is safe. The Journal of the American Medical Association says there’s ZERO connection between vaccines and autism.

Do you carry around one of those cute little tubs of lip balm?

06 Monday Mar 2017

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The kind you have to put your finger in each time your lips get dry? Well, microbiologists want you to know those adorable lip balm pots are bacteria bombs that can lead to infection. Dr. Elaine Larson is an infectious disease researcher at Columbia University. And she says every time you dip into that pot, your finger could be transferring bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of illness-causing microorganisms to your lip balm – essentially turning it into a petri-dish.