Is it possible to catch intestinal infection not through products, and how to avoid it
'26.03.2021'
Source: Consumer Reports
Unfortunately you can - remember the massive episodes of E. coli salad infections across the United States. So, some of the poisoning victims did not eat that ill-fated salad at all.
You can catch a disease causing bacteria that causes food poisoning as a result of contact with both the infected person and the surfaces and objects that he touched, warns Consumer Reports.
The bacteria live in the intestines of cattle, chickens, and other animals raised for human consumption. If animal excrement comes into contact with meat during slaughter, bacteria can remain in and on the meat products. Contamination on plant products usually comes from animal waste (such as manure) or spoiled water. Bacteria can also spread through cross-contamination, whether in a factory or farm, or in a home kitchen or restaurant.
In particular, pathogens can be transmitted from person to person, especially through dirty hands: the so-called oral-fecal route, when traces of contamination after using the toilet remain on the hands and subsequently enter the mouth during meals or for other purposes. Traces remain on objects around - switches, doorknobs, kitchen surfaces, towels.
How to protect yourself from infection
- Wash your hands (yes, again and again). Thorough hand washing with hot water and any soap is a critical step in helping to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria. Always wash your hands after using the toilet and bathroom, after changing diapers, taking care of a sick person, before eating and before preparing food. By the time of washing - just repeat the alphabet to yourself.
- Do not rely on hand sanitizers. You can use alcohol-based antiseptics - they do kill some germs, but not all. Hand washing with soap and water remains the best remedy.
- Wash textiles regularly. Bacteria can be found on sheets, towels, washcloths, scouring pans, kitchen textiles and even on the sleeves of clothing. Of course, it is not necessary to wash every five minutes the entire wardrobe and the contents of the linen closet, but be very careful with any kind of fabric that could come in contact with feces.
- Wipe and disinfect. Disinfection of most general-purpose surfaces (for example, kitchen scales, bathroom sinks, door handles) may seem a pain to the hostess, but it will help a lot even if there is already a sick person in the house. Use a bleach solution or other disinfectant to thoroughly and regularly wipe the surfaces of the bathroom and kitchen.
- Stay away from the kitchen. If there is even a small chance that you have become infected with a foodborne illness, do not prepare food for other people. If you have to do something in the kitchen, be especially vigilant to handle the hands and surfaces that you touch as best as possible.
