Bacteria
around us
Bacteria and viruses are microorganisms of size ranging from 0.1 to a dozen, or so, micrometers. They have various shapes – round, spiral, elongated. This is where their names come from, e.g.: vibrio (comma), bacillus (rod), spirillum (spiral), etc. Among bacteria, there are those that need oxygen for their metabolism, and also anaerobes, which do not require oxygen. It is among anaerobic bacteria where most of disease-causing bacteria are found. Bacteria are not overly demanding, therefore they can thrive in any environment. They can be found in soil, in other organisms, in the air, in water, and on glaciers. It is estimated, that the number of bacteria living on Earth is close to 5 1030. About two kilograms of various microorganisms lives in the human body. Most of them are beneficial to us, because they regulate the proper functioning of the body. There exists, however, also other — pathogens — causing infections and diseases.
Every day we are exposed to contact with disease-causing microorganisms. Microbes dangerous to our health can be found, among other places:
- in the kichen: on countertops, dish scrubbers, sponges,
- in the office: on computer keyboards and mice, on desks,
- on everyday items: mobile phones, ATMs, banknotes, coins, stair handrails, door handles, light switches,
- in public places: on handles and ticket validating machines of public transportation, on shopping carts in shopping centers, on clothes hangers in stores, on soap dispensers in public restrooms, on baby changing tables, on toys in kindergartens
By touching such items we “collect” bacteria left there by other people, like rotaviruses and noroviruses responsible for diarrhea, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Shigella, pathogenc Escherichia coli, tapeworm and pinworm eggs causing skin infections and food poisonings. It suffices that we later touch our face near our eyes, mouth or nose, for such germs to enter our body.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 69% of the digestive tract infections result from transmitting germs by contaminated hands and from touching contaminated surfaces. Bad hygiene habits of adults often cause diarrheal diseases in the youngests children, in whom, until the age of five, the course of a digestive tract infection can be very severe. Worldwide, diarrheal diseases cause 3.5-4 million deaths of children in this age group per year. The second high-risk group is formed by elderly persons above 65 years of age.
This is why observing proper hand hygiene is so important. How to do it? First of all, by regular handwashing, and in those situations when this is not possible, by using gels CleanHands.
