Health
Related: About this forumHand dryers can spread bacteria in public toilets, research finds
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/3629/hand_dryers_can_spread_bacteria_in_public_toilets_research_findsPublished Thursday 20 November 2014
[font size=3]Modern hand dryers are much worse than paper towels when it comes to spreading germs, according to new University of Leeds research.
Scientists from the University of Leeds have found that high-powered jet-air and warm air hand dryers can spread bacteria in public toilets. Airborne germ counts were 27 times higher around jet air dryers in comparison with the air around paper towel dispensers.
The study shows that both jet and warm air hand dryers spread bacteria into the air and onto users and those nearby.
The research team, led by Professor Mark Wilcox of the School of Medicine, contaminated hands with a harmless type of bacteria called Lactobacillus, which is not normally found in public bathrooms. This was done to mimic hands that have been poorly washed.
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VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)If you have ever had a CDiff infection....you worry about stuff like that!
Warpy
(111,351 posts)but the normal bacteria outcompete them. Infection usually occurs when the person is weakened by surgery or illness or has been on antibiotics.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Warpy
(111,351 posts)but not among healthy people, otherwise we'd have waves of it and strict quarantine policies out in suburbia.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)its from fecal matter....
I was a healthy person that had a dental procedure....got some antibiotic....ended up with CDiff...
Certain antibiotics make you suceptible...including Clindamyocin
Preventing the spread of infection to others
You, and those caring for you, also need to follow strict hygiene measures if you have C. difficile infection. This will help to prevent the spread of infection to others. If you are in hospital, the following measures are usually suggested:
If possible, you should have your own room, washbasin and toilet facilities.
You should regularly wash your hands thoroughly, especially after each time you have been to the toilet.
Those caring for you should wear disposable gloves and aprons and wash their hands with soap and water before and after attending to you. Hand gel is not an alternative to soap and water but may be used after hand washing. This is because hand gel may not kill the C. difficile spores.
Toilets, surfaces, floors, bedpans, bedding, etc, should be washed regularly.
Visitors should also wear disposable gloves and aprons and wash their hands as they enter and leave your room.
tridim
(45,358 posts)Especially in public restrooms.
It's one reason why we have immune systems.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)when confronted with a warm air hand dryer?
Warpy
(111,351 posts)If nobody's around, I'll use my jeans.
Warpy
(111,351 posts)and has discovered that air hand dryers leave nearly all the bacteria in place, while the friction from paper towel drying removes most of them.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)Regular hand soap.