Surprising Germy Places to Avoid
Excerpted from Prevention's List-Maker's Get Healthy Guide book An average adult can touch as many as 30 objects within a minute, including germ-harboring, high-traffic surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, phone receivers, and remote controls. At home, you do all that you can to keep the germs at bay. But what happens when you step out the door to go to dinner, do some grocery shopping, or visit the doctor's office? Know where germs are most likely to lurk, as you'll find out here. Restaurant menus: Have you ever seen anyone wash off a menu? Probably not. A recent study in the Journal of Medical Virology reported that cold and flu viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces. If it's a popular restaurant, hundreds of people could be handling the menus--and passing their germs on to you. Never let a menu touch your plate or silverware, and wash your hands after you place your order. lemon Wedges: According to a 2007 study in the Journal of Environmental Health, nearly 70 percent of the lemon wedges perched on the rims of restaurant glasses contain disease-causing microbes. When the researchers ordered drinks at 21 different restaurants, they found 25 different microorganisms lingering on the 76 lemons that they secured, including E. coli and other fecal bacteria. Tell your server that you'd prefer your beverage sans fruit. Why risk it? Condiment Dispensers: It's the rare eatery that regularly bleaches its condiment containers. And the reality is that many people don't wash their hands before eating, says Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D. So while you may be diligent, the guy who poured the ketchup before you may not have been, which means his germs are now on your fries. Squirt hand sanitizer on the outside of the condiment bottle or use a disinfectant wipe before you grab it. Holding the bottle with a napkin won't help; napkins are porous, so microorganisms can pass right through, Reynolds says.
Restroom Door handles: Don't think you can escape the restroom without touching the door handle? Palm a spare paper towel after you wash up and use it to grasp the handle. Yes, other patrons may think you're a germ-phobe -but you'll never see them again, and you're the one who won't get sick. soap Dispensers: About 25 percent of public restroom dispensers are contaminated with fecal bacteria. Soap that harbors bacteria may seem ironic, but that's exactly what a recent study found. "Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grow as the soap scum builds up," says Charles Gerba, Ph.D. "And the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture feeding millions of bacteria." Be sure to scrub hands thoroughly with plenty of hot water for 15 to 20 seconds -- and if you happen to have an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, use that, too. Grocery Carts: The handles of almost two-thirds of the shopping carts tested in a 2007 study at the University of Arizona were contaminated with fecal bacteria. In fact, the bacterial counts of the carts exceeded those of the average public restroom. Swab the handle with a disinfectant wipe before grabbing hold (stores are starting to provide them, so look around for a dispenser). And while you're wheeling around the supermarket, skip the free food samples, which are nothing more than communal hand-to-germ-to-mouth zones.
Children’s healthcare of atlanta among Top 100 employers Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has been ranked among FORTUNE magazine’s elite list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America. It is the eighth consecutive time the not-for-profit pediatric health care system has been named to the list. Landing at No. 46, Children’s is the only hospital in Georgia to appear on the list, Children’s is among just three companies with headquarters in Georgia and is one of only two pediatric hospitals to make the list. Children’s stands among well-known and respected companies, including Aflac, Google, Zappos and American Express. Children’s operates three hospital campuses, including Children’s at Egleston,
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Children’s at Hughes Spalding and Children’s at Scottish Rite, as well as 17 neighborhood locations. Children’s puts a primary focus on employees, so it makes sense that the organization was ranked on a list that highlights specialty areas such as health care, child care and work-life success.
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January 24 - 30, 2013
Flu Outbreak Prompts Reminder For Senior Care This flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in decades – with the Centers for Disease Control already reporting widespread outbreaks in many states. While anyone can get the flu, seniors are especially susceptible to the virus and are at greater risk for serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Ninety percent of flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 and older. “The flu can be very dangerous for seniors, so we are concerned about this recent outbreak,” said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® franchise network. "We encourage seniors and their families to take extra precautions to protect themselves from the virus.” To fight the flu, senior care experts recommend the following: Get a Flu shot: Experts strongly encourage all seniors and those in frequent contact with seniors to get vaccinated if they haven’t already done so. Medicare covers one vaccine per flu season. Practice Good hand Washing: Wash hands with soap frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover Coughs and sneezes: Droplets from a sneeze or a cough can travel up to six feet. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the elbow, not the hands. stay In to stay Well: If there’s an outbreak in the area, avoid trips to crowded shopping centers or community events. avoid Contact: Those with flu-like symptoms, especially school-aged children, should avoid contact with senior loved ones. Enlist the help of friends, neighbors or professionals to take over caregiving responsibilities, if necessary. Rest Well, eat Well: Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy foods. Experts also recommend a diet rich in Vitamins C and D and plenty of exercise. If senior loved ones begin to show symptoms of the flu, contact their health care provider immediately. Antiviral medications (like Tamiflu) are available to help make symptoms less severe. For more information about senior and caregiver well-being, visit the website www.caregiverstress.com.
attention Teenagers and adults The Atlanta Daily World is partnering with New American Media (NAM) and other media outlets in Atlanta to promote an essay contest on teachers. Teens and adults are invited to write up to 500 words in English or in the writer's native language describing a teacher who changed their life or the life of their child. In-language submissions will be translated prior to final judging. Essays should be sent via email or regular mail, along with the entry form.
A panel of distinguished educators, journalists, scholars and advocates will select a winner from each category. Judges will look for evidence that the teacher opened up a new pathway of knowledge or opportunity for the student that he or she had previously not been aware of, or that the teacher inspired or fostered a love of learning. We are looking for real life examples and expect the entries will help us expand our definition of what a "great teacher" is. Winners in the "Teenager" and "Adult" categories will each receive a cash award of $500 and the teachers profiled will also receive an award of $500. Winner in "Teacher In Memory" will have the honor to pick a local public school in Atlanta or surrounding counties to donate a $500 check made by NAM. A special presentation of the awards will be held in Atlanta in March. Winning essays will be published by NAM and participating media outlets. Hurry! The deadline for entries to be postmarked is Feb. 4. E-mail your entry to contest@atlantadailyworld.com
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