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Posts Tagged ‘flu’

Things You Need To Be Aware of RSV

January 23rd, 2011 Comments off

According to new scientific studies and news in the health current events, it is found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is quite common among people of all ages. Children below 5 are most vulnerable to this virus. RSV can develop wheezing and pneumonia on many occasions. Statistics show that millions of people are treated for RSV every year.

RSV is highly infectious and it has long life span. It can be spread quickly through coughing and sneezing. You can be infected by simply touching a door knob or a countertop which is infected. As a result of its ability to spread widely and service for long time, the number of RSV related patients is increasing each year.

RSV is very common in the winter months and children going to school may bring the virus home and pass it on to the rest in the family. this virus can sometimes cause dead in children and infants.

The best way to prevent the virus from spreading is to have a very hygienic environment at home. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to stop RSV from spreading through touching.

It is recommended that adults and children who are having cold like symptoms should be separated from the younger ones. If you observe any symptoms like high fever, thick discharges from the nose that is yellow, green or even gray along with cough that seems to be getting worse or problems attempting to breathe in young children or infants, then you should contact your doctor immediately in order to get the proper treatment. If these symptoms get worse, which could happen quickly in young children, it can be life threatening.

One of the preventive strategies for RSV is through injection of antibodies that will fight the virus. However, the span of these antibodies can be quite low and you need get your injections on regular basis. Health Blog has encouraged the use of these antibodies in children who may be having repeating infections of RSV. This will keep them away from the dangers this virus.

You can learn more useful preventive tips on how to stay away the virus by reading these current health articles.

Just what is Hand Sanitizer

January 14th, 2011 Comments off

Keeping your hands clean stops the transmission of several dangerous diseases. You may wash your hands with water and soap or you can sanitize them using hand sanitizers.

What exactly is hand sanitizer? A hand sanitizer is a gel, foam, and liquid solution which acts as an substitute to hand washing with water and soap. You will find two types of hand sanitizers, alcohol based hand sanitizers and non-alcohol hand sanitizers.

Alcohol based hand sanitizers use alcohol to kill most bacteria, fungi and many viruses. You could find different amount of concentration of alcohol a number of sanitizers. Some have as high as 85% of alcohol whereas others have 60%. Most hand sanitizers found in the market contain 62% of alcohol. The most common brands of alcohol hand rubs include Purell sanitizers, Avant, Sterillium, Desderman and Allsept S.

Some hand sanitizers are produced with extra ingredients including natural products and essential oils. These hand sanitizers don’t just contain alcohol that is necessary to kill germs effectively and safely, however they also contain additional substances that could moisturize and condition the skin. Hospitals use sanitizer dispensers equipped with elbow controlled mechanism to avoid any contact with the pump.

Non-alcohol based hand sanitizers use small quantity of benzalkonium chloride or triclosan to kill gems.

Alcohol is known as a preservative. As they do not contain alcohol, the non-alcohol based hand sanitizers. are succeptible to contamination.

How to Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizers could kill most bacteria and viruses immediately while on your skin. How do we use it properly and when should we use it?

Below is the correct way to use hand sanitizer:

  • Apply enough sanitizer gel to wet your hands
  • Rub your hands together. Cover both hands and fingers with the solution. Keep rubbing until your hands are dry.
  • If your hands are visibly dirty, you should wash them with soap and water.
  • When to sanitize your hands? It would be a good idea to sanitizer your hands:
    • before and after food preparation.
    • before meals.
    • before and after treating wounds.
    • before inserting or removing contact lenses.
    • after touching an animal.
    • after handling something that could be contaminated, such as garbage.

Benefits of Hand Sanitizers

Most people think that the alcohol based hand sanitizers could make your skin dry. Well it is true. However, it dries skin less than hand washing with soap and water.

Hand sanitizers kill many bacteria such as antibiotic resistant bacteria and TB bacteria. They also kill viruses such as flu virus, the common cold virus, and HIV.

Hand sanitizers also kill fungi.

The Risk

Alcohol is flammable. Alcohol based hand sanitizers can catch fire of it. However, hand sanitizers with high high water content or moisturizing content may not produce this effect. Rubbing your hands until dry could minimize the risk of fire. This is because it only takes few second for the flammable alcohol in hand sanitizers to evaporate into the air. Your hands are dry means that the alcohol is gone.