Handsfree Dispenser

     In this day of international travel where people from all over the world use the airlines, rent cars, stay in motels, and ride trains and buses it makes sense that we should avoid coming in contact with disease causing germs from these sources.  Hygiene standards can vary quite a bit in different cultures. Awareness of  microbes on objects does not exist in some parts of the world. Yet we can possibly interact with these individuals by touching things that they have handled.

     This cross-contamination can be avoided by using a sanitizer. Ultraviolet sanitizers come in small and large sizes.  They employ ultraviolet light to destroy microbes. The light waves interfere with the reproductive stage and so eliminate these germs.  Holding the device over the area to be sanitized usually takes seconds to be affective.  A pocket size purifier is very handy and can be carried in a purse or upper pocket.  Airlines do not clean between passengers. A quick once over on head rests and arm rests can be accomplished easily with one of these miniature wands. Use it on the interior of a rental car also.

     For items in your motel room a larger wand is recommended for the toilet seat,  faucet handles, doorknobs,  phones,  menus and other reading material, and last but not least, the TV remote.  The remote has been cultured and pronounced dirtier than a toilet seat. Maintenance crews never clean the remotes. The full size sanitizer wand covers a larger area and can be packed in your luggage.  It does not take a germaphobe to realize that with more global travel we also have more global germs, so sanitizing is a preventive way of avoiding sickness, especially from foreign germs.

     Most people do not know what is in a typical vaccine.  According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, besides the viral and bacterial RNA or DNA, vaccines can contain the following fillers:

      Aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, ammonium sulfate, amphotericin B, pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain, dog kidney, monkey kidney, chick emryo, chicken egg, duck egg, calf serum betapropiolactone, fetal bovine serum, formaldehyde, fromalin gelatin, MSG, neomycin, neomycin sulfate, phenol red indicator, phenoxyethanol(anti-freeze), potassium diphosphate, potassium monophosphate, polymyxin B, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, pig pancreatic hydrolysate of casein, residual MRC5 proteins, sorbitol, sucrose thimerosal)mercury), tri(n)butylphosphate, Vero cells, washed sheep red blood cells, and more.

        Those who are advised to have the vaccine should take note of these ingredients. Others who are not receiving the vaccine can practice prevention of cross-contamination. Disposable germicidal wipes and ultraviolet light can be used on hard objects. Proper handwashing and hand sanitizer are highly recommended  to stop the spread of the Swine flu virus and other flu viruses.

    One quick way to get rid of germs on objects is to use a hand-held sanitizer. This device uses the same Ultraviolet (UV) technology found in hospitals to sterilize surgical instruments. It allows you to disinfect  items such as workplace keyboards, telephones, doorknobs, and so on.  It is useful in the home in sanitizing toothbrushes (they sustain hundreds of germ colonies), cutting boards, baby products, and more.

     The sanitizer is held 1/2 to 1 inch above the contaminated surface for approximately 15 seconds for small areas and 10 to 15 minutes for larger areas.  The UV light attacks the germs, killing their DNA which prevents them from reproducing. This can help avoiding E.coli, staphylococcus, salmonella, the flu, and colds.  It’s great for allery and asma sufferers also.  One can take along a sanitizer when travelling and staying in motels/hotels the TV remote is notorious for harboring germs.

      By now, we probably all have heard about the supebug MRSA, methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus. It is prevalent in hospitals but has also invaded public gyms and other places where a break in the skin can be a source of infection.                                                                       

     Another less well known superbug is Clostriium difficile, popularly called C-Diff.  It is the mother of all diarrheas, a gut-wrenching, non-stop variety, accompanied by pain and fever.  Ironically C-Diff also lurks in a hospital setting  where the immune system compromised and elderly people are the most vulnerable.  Jails and prisoners have also reported cases.  The Center for Disease Control estimates that this microbe has attacked at least 225,000 hospital visitors in recent moths.

    It is thought that the overuse of antibiotics created C-Diff by eliminating the helpful bacteria in the intestine. Even harsher antibiotics are used to combat the illness.  At times those infected can have recurrences.

     Hospital patients, caregivers, visitors, and all maintenance personnel must wash their hands upon entering a patient’s room and also when leaving in case of cross-contamination.  The CDC says that handwashing can prevent illness. Hand sanitizer is also useful. Most importantly always wash or sanitize your hands before eating.

     We all know of someone who is a germaphobe, even if it is a celebrity like the deceased Howard Hughes.  Somehow we think of them as weird or fanatical.  They range from those who are constantly washing or sanitizing their hands to those who keep a really clean home to the medical-dental professionals. One does not have to be labelled a germaphobe just because one is aware that there exists a whole microworld around us. Not all microbes are harmful, but since we don’t walk around with microscopes, we cannot seperate them. The recent flu scares make us conscious of our coughs, sneezes, and germy hands.  That is when we become germaphobes in order to avoid illness. Medical and Dental professions have strict protocals to avoid cross-contamination.  They use germicides, barriers, and aseptic techniques to protect the patient and themselves.

     We are seeing more touchless devices in restrooms like hands free towel dispensers, door openers, and flushers. True there are still not enough but the awareness is growing. Are you a gremaphobe if you don’t want to handle something unclean in a restroom?  Is coughing into your elbow not your hands the sign of a germaphobe? I think it is common sense behavior. So the next time you see a “germaphobe” doing something think about it and maybe you will learn a lesson in staying healthy.

      “Home Sweet Home”, “There’s No Place Like Home”, and “Home Is Where The heart Is”. Unfortunately we could also say, “Home Germy Home”, “There’s No Contamination Like Home”, and “Home Is Where The Germs Are”. Yes we all feel safe in our homes, and rightly so because we cannot see the microscopic world that lives at home with us, namely harmless and harmful microbes. We do not want to sterilize our surroundings, and in fact it would be impossible and undesirable to do so. We can however prevent illness by simply washing our hands and using disinfectant wipes  on objects that harbor disease causing germs.  The usual suspects  are door knobs, land phones, cell phones, keyboards, kitchen counters, bathroom counters, faucets, sinks, TV remotes, toys, and keys. They can easily be wiped clean by using disinfectant wipes. When family members are sick, it is necessary to take these measures more frequently so as to prevent spreading the illness to other family members. Oh, and remember your car it’s your home away from home. You are not a Germaphobe because you do these things, you are just aware, and want to prevent cross contamination.

       This morning I was shopping in a drugstore.  As I walked down one aisle, a clerk was stocking the shelves.  He sneezed while trying to say hello. I said, “Sorry, you must have a cold”.  He replyed, “Yes I do”. While shopping further, I heard 5 more sneezes.  Now you know he was sneezing into the air, literally spraying germs everywhere. Maybe he was even sneezing into his hands, the hands that were handling items to be put on shelves.  A person who comes along and picks up one of these items, is exposed to the cold or flu germs.

       A person who is sick should not come to work, but you know that is not reality. Kids give their colds and flus to each other and to the teacher, office workers contaminate their desks and computers, food handlers can be the cause of illness, bank tellers can spread more than wealth. and clerks like the one I encountered today just don’t have a clue when it comes to preventing cross-contamination.

     Washing one’s hands and drying them with a sanitary paper towel,  hand sanitizers, using disinfectant wipes, and sneezing into the elbow, taught as hygiene for kids and adults are several ways to keep those germs from infecting others.

     Kids can be the greatest carriers of germs. Unfortunately some of those microbes cause illnesses like flus and colds. They usually do not wash their hands unless they are reminded. They handle toys, doors, phones, toilets, pets, books, and more. They sneeze and cough in those hands, in the air, and on objects. They need to be educated about germs and how to avoid them. Simple rules of hygiene for kids is what is needed. Handwashing, hand sanitizing, and sneezing and coughing into an elbow need to be emphasized.  Less sick days for kids, families, teachers, workers, and friends would be a great result.

     How many times do you enter a public restroom that is fully equipped with sanitary, touchless devices?  Not too often from my experience. In fact, some restrooms are the opposite with unclean soap dispensers, towel dispensers, flushers, and door handles. You know that these things have been handled by countless users before you.” What is the use of washing my hands?”, you say.  I totally agree.  I have used different strategies to get around this problem.  Once you wash your hands, whether the soap dispenser is automatic or not,  you want to avoid cross-contamination. The towel dispenser may or may not be hands free.  Use your arm or back of your hand if it is not to get a clean towel. Then use it to turn off the faucet if need be.  lastly open the door with that towel.  If there is no receptacle near the door in which to throw in the towel, leave it on the floor.  This sends a message to the establishment.  At least have a trash can at the door to protect your clients from germs when they exit.

     It is a good thing that we the public do not walk around with microscopes because we would not have peace of mind if we could see all the bacteria and viruses that travel with us. Of course not all microbes are harmful, in fact some of them are called “good bacteria”, meaning that they do not cause illness. They may even help boost the immune system. On the other hand, microorganisms that are disease-causing are responsible for colds, flus, MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus), gastrointestinal illness, and much more.  Most of us have travelled on airplanes so this eye-opener might shock you. Last week, on “The Doctors” television show on ABC, a stewaress called in anonymously to report to us events that she had witnessed in her career. Urine on the restroom floor that was picked up on a toddler’s feet and transferred to the passenger seat ot tray.  The tray which we use to place our food, reading material, and other items has been the target of vomit, sneezing, coughing, and even the a soiled diaper. You say “Ugh!”   Don’t forget the arm rests and head rests. Head rests have been known to harbor head lice and other nasty creatures. One good method to get rid of these germs is to carry an Ultraviolet Sanitizer Wand with you when you travel. The Ultraviolet-C Wavelength is germicidal and kills 99% of germs like E-coli, salmonella, flu and cold viruses, and allergens like dust mites. This same UV technology is used in hospitals to disinfect instruments. Simply hold the light over the area for about 20 seconds. Take it out in your hotel room or workplace and use it on doorknobs, keyboards, phones, remote, bed linens, toilet seats, toothbrushes, and odor-causing bacteria. Stay healthy with a wave of the wand.

     When workers have to stay home because of illness, it costs the employer money. When workers who are ill come to work anyway, they spread the germs that caused them to be sick. They touch doorknobs or handles, pens and pencils, phones, keyboards, and armrests.  If they sneeze or cough into their hands and droplets reach desktops, the workplace area is contaminated. Keyboards especially have been shown to harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat.    This ought to be enough reason to motivate management to do the following:

    Mount a hand sanitizer dispenser in a convenient location for workers.

    Provide disinfectant wipes that can be used to clean surfaces like phones etc.

    Switch to keyboards that can be disinfected and washed. Wise investment

    Automatic devices like towel dispensers improve restroom hygiene

    Hands free restroom door openers are the last link to keeping germs away

                                                  STAY HEALTHY