If You Think Flying Made You Sick

[Guest longtimer]

It appears you could be right.

I pack lots of hand sanitizer for the journey and use it often. Of course aircraft are not the only areas of concern, ever wonder who fondled that restaurant menu before you made your selection and then proceeded to enjoy the finger food you ordered as an appetizer?

Disease-causing bacteria can survive on plane surfaces for days, new research finds

MRSA, E. coli can survive on plane surfaces for days, research finds
Two common disease-causing bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and a strain of E. coli, can linger on commonly touched surfaces in airplane cabins for up to a week, according to new research.
Marlene Leung, CTVNews.ca
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2014 9:33AM EDT



Two common disease-causing bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and a strain of E. coli, can linger on commonly touched surfaces in airplane cabins for up to a week, according to new research.

Researchers from Auburn University, who presented their data at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, found that bacteria can survive the environmental conditions found inside a typical commercial airplane for days.

In their study, post-doctoral fellow Kiril Vaglenov and his colleagues examined how long MRSA and E. coli 0157:H7 could survive on six different surfaces found in airplanes. The surfaces included the materials used in passengers’ armrests, tray tables, window shades, cloth seat pockets and seat leather, as well as metal toilet buttons.


The researchers suspended the bacteria in saline, simulated human sweat and saliva, and then tested them for survival on each of the six surfaces. They also controlled the temperature (24 C) and humidity (18 per cent) to simulate the conditions of a typical airplane cabin.

MRSA lasted the longest (168 hours, or seven days) on the material from the seat-back pocket, while E. coli 0157:H7 lasted the longest (96 hours or four days) on the material from the armrest, the researchers found.

Both bacteria are well-known pathogens. E. coli 0157:H7 typically causes diarrhea in adults, but may also cause Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be fatal in children younger than five.

MRSA is resistant to almost all drugs and can cause wound infections, pneumonia, sepsis and certain skin diseases.

Vaglenov said the research is a first step in investigating the potential risk of bacteria transmission during air travel.

"Our data show that both of these bacteria can survive for days on the selected types of surfaces independent of the type of simulated body fluid present, and those pose a risk of transmission via skin contact," Vaglenov said in a statement.

"Many air travelers are concerned about the risks of catching a disease from other passengers given the long time spent in crowded air cabins."

The research team has future plans to explore effective cleaning and disinfection strategies for plane cabins. The team will also look at testing different surfaces that have natural antimicrobial properties to see if these surfaces can help reduce the survival of disease-causing bacteria on plane surfaces.

The research was partially funded by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Office of Aerospace Medicine.
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Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/disease-causing-bacteria-can-survive-on-plane-surfaces-for-days-new-research-finds-1.1829239#ixzz32GTwLsA4

[boestar]

Only on a plane? What makes a plane so special? If the Bacteria can survive there then they can survive anywhere. Rental car? Hotel Surfaces? Restaurants? Just get back in your bubble and never leave home.

For the most part a healthy body will fight these bacteria and you would be none the wiser. it could be an issue for an individual who has compromised immune system though.

[conehead]

I think the handle of a shopping cart is one of the worst offenders.

[J.O.]

IMHO, hand sanitizers will someday prove to be one of the worst ways we could have used to protect ourselves. They contain a form of antibiotic that over time will almost certainly cause thousands of harmless bugs to mutate until they are a much more serious threat. Good old soap and hot water is still the best way to protect ourselves.

[Guest longtimer]

JO : Hand sanitizer mostly contain just alcohol. The only ones that work will contain at least 60% alcohol. Not sure where you got your information from but those used where I volunteer (hospital) contain 72% alcohol as their only active ingredient.

http://www.consumersearch.com/hand-sanitizers/hand-sanitizer-myths-and-facts

What hand sanitizers can and can't do

Myths and misconceptions about hand sanitizers abound. But we have consulted the best research to debunk the myths that are floating around about these products.

Related Ads

Hand SanitizerHand Cleaning WipesHand LotionAntibacterial Hand WashMyth: A hand sanitizer can keep you from getting the flu.

Fact: Not necessarily. Hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol can kill flu viruses on hands, and people are less likely to catch the flu in that way. However, flu viruses are also airborne; individuals can breathe in germs and become infected. In fact, studies show that regular use of hand sanitizers may not cut down on the incidence of cold and flu, but it is simply good hygiene and may be better at reducing the transmission of gastrointestinal diseases.

Myth: Hand sanitizers create drug-resistant super-bacteria.

Fact: Not if alcohol is the active ingredient. Why? Alcohol physically destroys germs, experts say. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence that bacteria can develop a resistance to alcohol and create a superbug, says Dr. Didier Pittet, one of the authors of the CDC's hand sanitation guidelines. In fact, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been shown to kill "even multi-drug resistant pathogens," according to Infection Control Today, a magazine for infection preventionists and their colleagues in operating rooms, sterile processing, environmental services and materials management. That said, less is known about the ingredients in alcohol-free and natural hand sanitizers.

Myth: Washing with soap and water eliminates more germs.

Fact: Not necessarily. If your hands are visibly soiled, then soap and water is the best way to get them clean; hand sanitizers will not get rid of dirt. However, if your hands are visibly dirt-free but germ-ridden, an alcohol hand sanitizer is a smart way to go, because these products eliminate more germs than soap and water, according to more than 20 studies cited by the CDC.

Myth: Hand sanitizers irritate skin.

Fact: Skin reactions to hand sanitizers are rare, according to the CDC, because these products generally contain emollients that protect and soothe the skin. In fact, CDC experts say alcohol-based hand sanitizers are gentler on skin than soap and water. For example, in a Brown University study, subjects washed their hands with soap and water for two weeks, then used only an alcohol sanitizer for the same amount of time. In the end, subjects reported that their hands looked and felt drier when washed with soap and water. Final tests confirmed that the level of moisture in their skin fell measurably after these rinses, while the hand sanitizer did not affect skin.

Myth: Homemade hand sanitizers rival store brands.

Fact: While there are many recipes currently floating around on the web, most homemade products don't contain the recommended 60 percent alcohol to optimally kill germs. For best results, buy a store brand.

And here are their sources..... http://www.consumersearch.com/hand-sanitizers/reviews

[Moon The Loon]

IMHO, hand sanitizers will someday prove to be one of the worst ways we could have used to protect ourselves. They contain a form of antibiotic that over time will almost certainly cause thousands of harmless bugs to mutate until they are a much more serious threat. Good old soap and hot water is still the best way to protect ourselves.

NO KIDDING! Our skin is our first layer of defence against tactile infection by bacteria. How? By fighting fire with fire. Hand sanitizers also kill the good bacteria that are one of our best defences in this world. This of course leaves one more susceptible to contracting something not-so-nice just by touching it.

Here's another one (or three): elevator buttons, ATM buttons, TOUCH SCREENS.

[Fido]

(hospital) contain 72% alcohol as their only active ingredient.

and why hospitals are now having to lock up their hand sanitizers so that some people cannot walk in off the street to drink the contents.

[Guest longtimer]

and why hospitals are now having to lock up their hand sanitizers so that some people cannot walk in off the street to drink the contents.

and why hospitals are now having to lock up their hand sanitizers so that some people cannot walk in off the street to drink the contents.

Not at my hospital but perhaps where you live?

[Moon The Loon]

Timely discussion. This just appeared in today's G&M:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/anti-bacterial-soaps-under-further-scrutiny-as-minnesota-bans-triclosan/article18772264/

Anti-bacterial soaps under scrutiny as Minnesota bans triclosan

Erin Anderssen

The Globe and Mail

Published Wednesday, May. 21 2014, 9:22 AM EDT

[boestar]

I believe you may be confusing hand sanitizer with Anti-bacterial hand soap containing Triclosan (sp?). These soaps do indeed assist in the propagation of resistant strains of bacteria. Much like the human body the bacteria adapt to overcome our antibiotics. Personally I never use a sanitizer or antibacterial soap. Hot water and regular soap works just fine.

[vanishing point]

Hotel room TV remote controls. I'd hate to see a CSI on one of those.......

[Guest longtimer]

Ever been on a cruise and watched the idiot entering the buffet area ahead of you and not stopping to use the hand sanitizer.... His/her hands are of course not dirty.... He/she may have washed his/her hands before leaving their cabin but then of course touched door handles, elevator buttons, sneezed etc. Soon after you hear of a outbreak of e. coli on the ship.... I like to point out to them that they are expected to sanitize their hands but of course such advice falls on deaf ears unless of course a crew member is there to enforce the hands sanitizing.

[Maverick]

Ever been on a cruise and watched the idiot entering the buffet area ahead of you and not stopping to use the hand sanitizer.... His/her hands are of course not dirty.... He/she may have washed his/her hands before leaving their cabin but then of course touched door handles, elevator buttons, sneezed etc. Soon after you hear of a outbreak of e. coli on the ship.... I like to point out to them that they are expected to sanitize their hands but of course such advice falls on deaf ears unless of course a crew member is there to enforce the hands sanitizing.

Another reason to not go on a cruise.

That and the $8 drinks...

[Airband]

.

sometimes there's just no place to wash one's hands....

[Boney]

All of the above is concerning, but the worse are those that don't wash their hands after using the bathroom.

[Moon The Loon]

All of the above is concerning, but the worse are those that don't wash their hands after using the bathroom.

Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode!

[J.O.]

What about the cultures that wash their hands before doing their business in the biffy, then do their business and then leave. WTF is up with that???

[Charlie's Flying Dog]

What's wrong with people? I just lick my paws clean.

[cp fa]

Geez, after these last couple of threads, I'm starting to think this forum is going to make me sick!

[Moon The Loon]

Geez, after these last couple of threads, I'm starting to think this forum is going to make me sick!

So, does that mean you're going to wash your hands of us?

I think NOT!

[conehead]

This thread went to the dogs.

[cp fa]

So, does that mean you're going to wash your hands of us?

I think NOT!

I was trying to think of a clever retort that had the word "flush" in it, but I got nothin.

[Guest longtimer]

Dogs should always be leashed, this is not an off leash area.

[boestar]

What did the human race ever do before sanitizers? If it were really such a problem then there would be outbreaks of E-Coli infections EVERYWHERE. it would be a global epidemic. But it is not. Do you know why? Because the human body has its own natural defences against infection by bacteria and some virus'. Why do we need all this stuff? just to make germophobes feel better? Heck I have eaten my lunch with dirty, greasy hands and never had a problem.

A healthy immune systems does not need any of this crap and worrying about it will just make you sick anyway.

[Guest longtimer]

What did they do indeed. I guess dying young could have been part of what they did. Average age expectancy in Canada in 1910 was just over 50.

Since the CPHA was formed in 1910, life expectancy in Canada has climbed to over 80 from barely 50. To put it another way, every year a person was born after 1910 added four months to their life.

While medical care has improved dramatically, the vast majority of those gains are due to pretty simple public health measures.

A century ago, rates of child and maternal mortality were sickeningly high. The population was constantly stalked by outbreaks of disease. Unpasteurized milk, inadequately treated water and lack of sewage treatment killed. Many people risked their lives every day they went to work. Disability was a death sentence. Far too many Canadians were beaten down by poverty, particularly seniors. Prior to medicare, an illness could bankrupt a family.

To its credit, however, the Canadian Public Health Association did not simply look back, but cast its eyes to the challenges that lay ahead.

A century ago, the task was to build sewage systems and water treatment plants, massive infrastructure investments that have paid off in spades.

Today, the challenge is to move well beyond the dumping of feces and spread of microbes and to clean up the environment even more broadly

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/cheers-to-a-century-of-better-public-health-in-canada/article4322199/