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The Definition Of Bacteria

A lot of us are so consumed by fear that weve become bacteriophobic (fear of bacteria)? Modern day pollution has greatly increased the presence of bacteria in the air we breathe. This bacterium is the cause of many diseases and with this, there are many people who today find it rather uncomfortable to touch things or go to places for fear of getting contaminated.

The definition of bacteria are tiny, micro organisms that get nutrients from their environments in order to live. In some cases that environment is a human body. Bacteria can reproduce outside of the body or within as they cause infections. Some of the infections they cause include sore throats (tonsillitis or strep throat), ear or urinary tract infections, cavities, and pneumonia. But not all bacteria are bad. Some bacteria are good for our bodies - they help keep things in balance. Good bacteria live in our intestines and help us use the nutrients in the food we eat and make waste from whats left over. We couldnt make the most of a healthy meal without these important helper germs! Some bacteria are also used by scientists in labs to produce medicines and vaccines.

Theyre all around us. Theyre in the air we breath, the water we drink and on everything we touch. So basically you cant avoid it. But you can limit your exposure to the bad bacteria. Starting with rigorous hygiene and cleanliness. Its impossible to sanitize the great outdoors but we could make a safe haven out of our own home. Properly wash your hands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that proper washing of hands is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as colds, diarrhea, and hepatitis.

First off you want to wash your hands after using the bathroom, picking up after a pet, changing a baby, taking out the garbage, coughing and sneezing, and handling raw foods. Wash your hands before cooking, eating, and tending to infants, elders, or the sick whose immune systems are compromised. Wash your hands before putting on contact lenses or applying any type of medication.

Use soap and warm water and scrub your hands (especially under the fingernails) up to the wrists, for no less than 15 seconds. Then rinse thoroughly and dry well with warm air or clean towels

The kitchen is considered a danger zone and haven of harmful bacteria primarily because this is where we handle raw foods and stow leftovers and food scraps. Aside from the germs that thrive on decaying foodstuff, disease-carrying bacteria can spread in the kitchen from raw meats and fresh produce that come from contaminated facilities and processing.

There is an estimated 76 million cases of food-borne disease occur each year in the United States, passed around through cross-contamination of infected meats, produce, and food processing handlers.

The following are ways to keep your kitchen safe from disease-spreading bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Refrigerate or freeze foods immediately, microbes multiply rapidly in warm and moist conditions. Dont let your produce thaw out on the counter over night. Thaw them out in their own container in the refrigerator so they cant cross contaminate any other foods. Refrigerate leftovers that will not be consumed within the next four hours. Prevent cross-contamination -- designate cutting boards, knives, and utensils for use with raw foods, and be sure to wash them thoroughly with a disinfectant after use. Remember to wash your hands, too. Disinfect kitchen sponges, dishcloths, and hand towels. Include sponges in the dishwasher; bleach dishcloths and kitchen towels with the laundry. Use paper towels to help wipe off germ-infested surfaces. Follow up with a disinfectant detergent or cleaner. If you use these tips you should be able to limit your exposure to harmful bacteria.

Posted by Unknown at 8:00 AM

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