Thursday, October 18, 2007

You asked for it

So, I was half watching the news yesterday while I was eating lunch and I couldn't help but notice all the hulabaloo about "THE SUPER BUG"

Yes, it is now national news that THE SUPER BUG is killing people left and right. They are catching it at school and in hospitals and in very public places. Apparently, THE SUPER BUG is a danger to us all. Worse, even, than Avian Flu.

Here's the thing. Put away your fucking hand sanitizer and let yourself get a little dirty.

All these anti bacterial marvels are causing the death of good bacteria and the mutation of bad bacteria. Mutants=hard to kill/no natrual protections. And since good bacteria sometimes fight bad bacteria, and we killed a bunch of those, we've pretty much fucked ourselves with our germ phobic society.

Here's a hint. Regular soap and warm water.

That's all. no fancy chemicals, no alchohol based smellies, just soap and warm water and you'll stay just as healthy. and so will your kids and pets. Guess what? we're exposed to nastiness like E Coli every day. We can't help it. People are dirty. However, we have adapted the abiity to fight this stuff natrually. You are breathing in Staph, Strep, and all sorts of gross stuff right now. Your body? made to fight it, so unless you have a depressed immune system, you don't need to try to create a germ free bubble. In fact, you don't want to. Cuz you can't get rid of them all. And when the alchohol in your sanitizer strips away the protective barriers of your skin? You leave yourself succeptible to whatever didn't die. When you touch your kid? you leave a trail of those multiplying bacterias behind. And the nightmare begins.

You are the problem. Put that shit away before you help kill someone else.

6 comments:

Blissfully Wed said...

I just kept thinking of the Super Devil from The Family Guy when I saw this on CNN.

No hand sanitizer here. Doing my part. ;)

NWJR said...

You are absolutely, positively, 100% correct. I swear, I'm tempted to just repost your whole rant on my blog.

Perfect.

Sensei said...

Time to get your "You are so bigotted and racist," line ready.

The big problem is that many of the undocumented workers streaming in do not get the same examinations as people coming to the USA through legal means. THis means our society is being introduced to many viruses and diseases that we either wiped out or haven't had to deal with previously.

Either we get serious about protecting our border, or make sure you build up your immune system.

THW said...

I know what you're trying to say, but this needs clarification.

The use of alcohol based cleansing products (hand sanitizers like Purell) is not a bad thing. In fact, it's recommended by the CDC as the most effective way to eliminate pathogen transmission. (Go to their website: www.cdc.gov/handhygiene) Alcohol based solvents are what hospitals use to sterilize and sanitize equipment and every hospital bed and room after a patient is discharged.

Alcohol works by denaturing protein. It kills anything that incorporates amino acids in its cell membrane or wall: bacteria, non-enveloped viruses, even fungus. And like a good handwashing, it is indiscriminate about what it kills and will help rid the surface bacterial population on your hands.

I use an alcohol based surgical scrub on my hands and arms multiple times a day before each operation. These solutions generally contain some emollients so that your skin won't dry out. I've been scrubbing daily for 6+ years. My skin hasn't dried out. Since the amount of alcohol in common hand sanitizers is less than what's found in surgical scrubs, you shouldn't see any cracked or dry skin from routine use.

What really should be stressed is the length of time you spend washing your hands with soap and water. Most people spend less than 15 seconds washing their hands. To effectively wash off bacteria, you need to scrub for an entire minute. Doesn't sound like much, but go wash your hands and time yourself. You'd be amazed how much of an eternity 60 seconds feels.

I know the point you're trying to make, but the emergence of these superbugs is due to incorrect and irresponsible use of antibiotics, which attempt to cause either a chemical modification of the cell wall or the cell DNA structure, as opposed to alcohol which just destroys it. But the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers should be recommended.

I apologize if this reads like a lecture, I just want the proper information to be propagated.

As far as the "superbug" aka MRSA goes, it's been around for a long time and the people that generally succumb to it have either waited too long before being treated, or have a pre-existing immunocompromised state. The majority of the population have nothing to worry about. Physicians have been well aware of this bacteria's existence and have been taking the proper precautions for years. It's just something the media has recently picked up for the sensationalism du jour.

Please use hand sanitizer to help eliminate the spread of contact bacteria. Especially if you don't spend 60 seconds washing your hands.

Ginamonster said...

Sensei, I agree with you, actually. And I do build my imune system. I try to lick trash cans every chance I get.

THW, improper use of antibiotics was my next rant. I still don't agree with the over use of antibacterial washes. Everywhere you turn, everytime you turn on the TV there's someone encouraging everyone to get rid of all the bateria in thier houses. It's a crock. I am ALL FOR it in the hospital. I am thankful that the technology is there for you to use before you go digging around in people's bodies. However you know better than I all the freaky things swimming around in Hospitals.
But for every day use, I think it is over used. And having developed a rash, I say that yes, they can dry you out. The point, I think, is education. I know that I am supposed to wash my hands with soap and warm water for at least a minute. I'm pretty good about it, actually. I can understand using the sanitizers for "emergencies" (you know, when there is NO other option) but I have seen plenty of people using them instead of soap and water. I have a problem with that.

Chickie said...

So true. I have a friend that freaks out because I'm not constantly lathering my hands with antibactirial wash stuff. I tell her I need a few germs.