Prevention of Super Germs, Essay Example

Thesis

The problem of the spread of super germs can only be prevented by covering and bandaging all cuts in the body, careful washing of hands and staying clean during hospital stay.

Introduction

Most of the germs that usually include bacteria that are truly nasty have a tendency of being impervious to common drugs that are used to eradicate them (Bock, Dr Steven & Nancy Faass, 2003).  Consequently, it becomes imperative to use other effective alternative measures of preventing their spread for the health benefit of the community. It is important to not that, majority of the germs outspace the potential ability of man in killing them but fortunately, there are several alternative measures applicable to ensure that their growth is checked. Some of these alternatives are outlined and discussed below:

Washing Hands

Washing of hands is one of the most vital approaches in the prevention of spread of super germs. The practice is a basic routine in daily live although in most cases, it is ignored. However, proper instructions should be given especially to children to enhance the effectiveness of proper hand washing. Flu virus for example lives for as long as 72 hours on surfaces such as TV remote gadgets, light switches and doorknobs among others. Therefore, touching these surfaces and consequently touching the eyes and noses automatically leads to the proliferation of the germs and subsequent infections. Total effectiveness of washing hands is ascertained by use of soap for a period of over 30 seconds (Cameron & Kenneth, 2008).

Covering and Bandaging All Cuts

Cuts in any part of the body create avenues for the spread of germs. The germs can easily get their way in to the bloodstream through the cut and thereby causing infection and diseases. It is therefore important to take adequate measures to block this avenue through a careful covering and bandaging of all the cuts in the skin of a person. The first thing to do after a cut in to the skin is to stop bleeding by applying pressure around the cut region. Immediately the bleeding is stopped, the cut should be rinsed properly using clean water and soap for a period of about 30 seconds while making sure that the cut is not reopened. An ideal antibacterial agent such as hydrogen peroxide which is widely available should then be applied that helps in the prevention of infection. The cut is then covered with using a sterile bandage while making sure that it fits properly to avoid any chance of coming out and giving entry to the germs (DeLong & Pace, 2001).

Staying Clean During Hospital Stay

Majority of people succumb to death when they are hospitalized due to other sources of infection during their hospital stay. Most visitors to the hospitals carry germs and due to their strong immune system, they are resistant to the germs (Schulz H, & Jorgensen, 2001). However, the weak immune system of the hospitalized individuals makes them susceptible to the germs from the healthy individuals. It is therefore imperative that the people entering hospitals as visitors learn hygiene practices to avoid any instances of spreading the germs to the hospitalized people. The hospital bathroom and toilets should be kept in hygienic conditions at all times to safeguard the health of the patients. The patients also must be aware of their cleanliness requirements at all times.

Works cited

Bock, Kenneth M.D., Dr Steven J Bock, M.D., & Nancy Faass. The Germ Survival Guide.  McGraw Hill 2003.

Cameron Stauth & Kenneth Bock. Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders. Random House Publishing Group,  2008.

DeLong E, & Pace N. “Environmental diversity of bacteria and archaea”. Syst Biol 50 (4): 470–8, 2001.

Schulz H, & Jorgensen B. “Big bacteria”. Annu Rev Microbiol 55: 105–37, 2001.