Tag Archives: west nile virus

Straight, No Chaser: Sealed with a (Wrong Type of) Kiss – Zoonotic Diseases

zoonosisdoglick

It’s interesting how we take animals for granted. Many of us touch and handle them, play with them. Some people keep their pets in their faces, allowing them to kiss and lick them. Do you ever think about where they’ve been and whether they are ill and contagious? Would you be surprised if I told you that approximately 60% of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that cause human disease originates from animals?

 zoonosis

That’s right. There are many diseases that animals have that can be transmitted to humans. These groups of diseases are called Zoonoses. It’s at least worth giving it some thought; many of these diseases don’t even require direct contact with the affected animal. Even more concerning is the fact that about 75% of newly emergent infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin.
We spend a lot of time in places where infected animals and insects may exist. Besides exposures in relatively exotic areas such as farms, woods, nature parks and petting zoos, simpler environments such as pet stores, fairs, schools and childcare facilities may also prove to be risky.

 zoonosisdeer

Many different types of animals pose these risks, including rodents, amphibians, live poultry, reptiles, insects and an assortment of domestic and wild animals. Here are a few examples (but not an exhaustive list) of how disease may spread that have been particularly common in the news of late.

  • Many animals carry rabies, including bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, wolves, coyotes, cattle, monkeys, mongooses and dogs.
  • Reptiles such as turtles, iguanas and snakes can transmit Salmonella, a prominent cause of food poisoning.
  • Handling your cat’s kitty litter (or otherwise handling stool) can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be deadly to those with weakened immune systems or to unborn children.
  • West Nile has been in the news every year this millennium, causing over 1.5 million infections in humans since 1999.
  • Deer and deer mice carry ticks that can lead to Lyme disease, a bacterial infection involving a rash, fever, chills, body aches and possible arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders.
  • Other common infections caused by these exposures include anthrax, dengue, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, E. coli infection, malaria, Plague and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

If you’re a good pet owner (and otherwise healthy), you shouldn’t have to worry about this much. Simple steps such as keeping your pets’ shots up to date, keeping their play areas clean, avoiding direct contact with wildlife and maintaining basic hygiene measures such as hand washing after contact sufficiently lowers your risk. Here are a few additional tips:

  • Keep tabs on your kids to ensure they wash their hands properly and avoid thumb-sucking, eating and pacifier use after animal contact and before cleaning up.
  • Use insect repellents that contain 20% or more DEET on the exposed skin and be generous with it when in risky areas.
  • Use products that contain repellents (such as permethrin) on your clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents.
  • Look for and remove ticks from your and your children’s bodies.
  • Limit mosquito breeding grounds around your home by getting rid of items that hold still water.
  • Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you for being a valued subscriber to Straight, No Chaser, we’d like to offer you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!
    Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.72hourslife.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!
    Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
    Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Avoiding Mosquito-Bourne Diseases

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser post is about avoiding mosquito-bourne diseases.

Mosqbite

Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they present. This thought occurred to me when I saw Bill Gates talking about efforts to eliminate the various threats posed by mosquitoes. Yes, mosquitoes.

 mosquito

Mosquitos are Much More Dangerous and Deadly Than You Think

Including the damage humans inflict on each other during times of war, mosquitoes are responsible for more human suffering than any other organism on earth. Well over one million humans die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and with worldwide travel having increased as it has, the risk is greater than ever. Even if you don’t know the diseases caused by mosquitos, you may have heard of them.

 Mosquite-BorneDiseases

Malaria

West Nile virus

Dengue fever

Yellow fever

Japanese B encephalitis

Getting into the specifics of these various diseases is beyond the scope of this particular post. What I’d like for you to appreciate is this list comprises various diseases with deadly consequences.

The D’s of Mosquito Prevention

Furthermore, you’re not defenseless. There are steps you can take to lessen your risks. In the interest in making this manageable, I’m going to focus on the “Ds of mosquito prevention”, because as is the case with most things, prevention is more effective than attempting to cure a disease once it is obtained.

 mosquito_borne_diseases

  • Dusk and Dawn: Try to steer your activity away from the times when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Drain: Get rid of standing water around your home. This is where mosquitoes will lay eggs.
  • Dress: During those times when mosquitoes are most active, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as practical.
  • DEET: Use mosquito repellent. Repellents containing up to 30% DEET are effective. Additionally, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

mosquito

Other Tips

Here are a few other simple tips.

  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Keep infants indoors or use mosquito netting over carriers.
  • If you have a water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish, such as gambusia, goldfish, guppies or minnows.
  • If you’re traveling, be aware of peak exposure times and places, and schedule around these times if possible. Avoid outbreaks.

Being just a bit more sensitive to the risks mosquitoes pose could be an important component of your overall health strategy. Be smart, and be healthy.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright ©2013- 2019 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Sealed with a (Wrong Type of) Kiss – Zoonotic Diseases

zoonosisdoglick

It’s interesting how we take animals for granted. Many of us touch and handle them, play with them. Some people keep their pets in their faces, allowing them to kiss and lick them. Do you ever think about where they’ve been and whether they are ill and contagious? Would you be surprised if I told you that approximately 60% of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that cause human disease originates from animals?

 zoonosis

That’s right. There are many diseases that animals have that can be transmitted to humans. These groups of diseases are called zoonoses. It’s at least worth giving it some thought; many of these diseases don’t even require direct contact with the affected animal. Even more concerning is the fact that about 75% of newly emergent infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin.
We spend a lot of time in places where infected animals and insects may exist. Besides exposures in relatively exotic areas such as farms, woods, nature parks and petting zoos, simpler environments such as pet stores, fairs, schools and childcare facilities may also prove to be risky.

 zoonosisdeer

Many different types of animals pose these risks, including rodents, amphibians, live poultry, reptiles, insects and an assortment of domestic and wild animals. Here are a few examples (but not an exhaustive list) of how disease may spread that have been particularly common in the news of late.

  • Many animals carry rabies, including bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, wolves, coyotes, cattle, monkeys, mongooses and dogs.
  • Reptiles such as turtles, iguanas and snakes can transmit Salmonella, a prominent cause of food poisoning.
  • Handling your cat’s kitty litter (or otherwise handling stool) can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be deadly to those with weakened immune systems or to unborn children.
  • West Nile has been in the news every year this millennium, causing over 1.5 million infections in humans since 1999.
  • Deer and deer mice carry ticks that can lead to Lyme disease, a bacterial infection involving a rash, fever, chills, body aches and possible arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders.
  • Other common infections caused by these exposures include anthrax, dengue, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, E. coli infection, malaria, Plague and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

If you’re a good pet owner (and otherwise healthy), you shouldn’t have to worry about this much. Simple steps such as keeping your pets’ shots up to date, keeping their play areas clean, avoiding direct contact with wildlife and maintaining basic hygiene measures such as hand washing after contact sufficiently lowers your risk. Here are a few additional tips:

  • Keep tabs on your kids to ensure they wash their hands properly and avoid thumb-sucking, eating and pacifier use after animal contact and before cleaning up.
  • Use insect repellents that contain 20% or more DEET on the exposed skin and be generous with it when in risky areas.
  • Use products that contain repellents (such as permethrin) on your clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents.
  • Look for and remove ticks from your and your children’s bodies.
  • Limit mosquito breeding grounds around your home by getting rid of items that hold still water.

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you for being a valued subscriber to Straight, No Chaser, we’d like to offer you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.72hourslife.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2017 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Avoiding Mosquito-Bourne Diseases

Mosqbite

Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they present. This thought occurred to me when I saw Bill Gates talking about efforts to eliminate the various threats posed by mosquitoes. Yes, mosquitoes.

 mosquito

Including the damage humans inflict on each other during times of war, mosquitoes are responsible for more human suffering than any other organism on earth. Well over one million humans die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and with worldwide travel having increased as it has, the risk is greater than ever. Even if you don’t know the diseases caused by mosquitos, you may have heard of them.

 Mosquite-BorneDiseases

Malaria

West Nile virus

Dengue fever

Yellow fever

Japanese B encephalitis

Getting into the specifics of these various diseases is beyond the scope of this particular post. What I’d like for you to appreciate is this list comprises various diseases with deadly consequences.
Furthermore, you’re not defenseless. There are steps you can take to lessen your risks. In the interest in making this manageable, I’m going to focus on the “Ds of mosquito prevention”, because as is the case with most things, prevention is more effective than attempting to cure a disease once it is obtained.

 mosquito_borne_diseases

  • Dusk and Dawn: Try to steer your activity away from the times when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Drain: Get rid of standing water around your home. This is where mosquitoes will lay eggs.
  • Dress: During those times when mosquitoes are most active, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as practical.
  • DEET: Use mosquito repellent. Repellents containing up to 30% DEET are effective. Additionally, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

mosquito

Here are a few other simple tips.

  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Keep infants indoors or use mosquito netting over carriers.
  • If you have a water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish, such as gambusia, goldfish, guppies or minnows.
  • If you’re traveling, be aware of peak exposure times and places, and schedule around these times if possible. Avoid outbreaks.

Being just a bit more sensitive to the risks mosquitoes pose could be an important component of your overall health strategy. Be smart, and be healthy.

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you for being a valued subscriber to Straight, No Chaser, we’d like to offer you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.72hourslife.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2017 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Sealed with a (Wrong Type of) Kiss – Zoonotic Diseases

zoonosisdoglick

It’s interesting how we take animals for granted. Many of us touch and handle them, play with them. Some people keep their pets in their faces, allowing them to kiss and lick them. Do you ever think about where they’ve been and whether they are ill and contagious? Would you be surprised if I told you that approximately 60% of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that cause human disease originates from animals?

 zoonosis

That’s right. There are many diseases that animals have that can be transmitted to humans. These groups of diseases are called zoonoses. It’s at least worth giving it some thought; many of these diseases don’t even require direct contact with the affected animal. Even more concerning is the fact that about 75% of newly emergent infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin.
We spend a lot of time in places where infected animals and insects may exist. Besides exposures in relatively exotic areas such as farms, woods, nature parks and petting zoos, simpler environments such as pet stores, fairs, schools and childcare facilities may also prove to be risky.

 zoonosisdeer

Many different types of animals pose these risks, including rodents, amphibians, live poultry, reptiles, insects and an assortment of domestic and wild animals. Here are a few examples (but not an exhaustive list) of how disease may spread that have been particularly common in the news of late.

  • Many animals carry rabies, including bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, wolves, coyotes, cattle, monkeys, mongooses and dogs.
  • Reptiles such as turtles, iguanas and snakes can transmit Salmonella, a prominent cause of food poisoning.
  • Handling your cat’s kitty litter (or otherwise handling stool) can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be deadly to those with weakened immune systems or to unborn children.
  • West Nile has been in the news every year this millennium, causing over 1.5 million infections in humans since 1999.
  • Deer and deer mice carry ticks that can lead to Lyme disease, a bacterial infection involving a rash, fever, chills, body aches and possible arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders.
  • Other common infections caused by these exposures include anthrax, dengue, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, E. coli infection, malaria, Plague and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

If you’re a good pet owner (and otherwise healthy), you shouldn’t have to worry about this much. Simple steps such as keeping your pets’ shots up to date, keeping their play areas clean, avoiding direct contact with wildlife and maintaining basic hygiene measures such as hand washing after contact sufficiently lowers your risk. Here are a few additional tips:

  • Keep tabs on your kids to ensure they wash their hands properly and avoid thumb-sucking, eating and pacifier use after animal contact and before cleaning up.
  • Use insect repellents that contain 20% or more DEET on the exposed skin and be generous with it when in risky areas.
  • Use products that contain repellents (such as permethrin) on your clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents.
  • Look for and remove ticks from your and your children’s bodies.
  • Limit mosquito breeding grounds around your home by getting rid of items that hold still water.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have on this topic.

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Avoiding Mosquito-Bourne Diseases

Mosqbite

Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they present. This thought occurred to me when I saw Bill Gates talking about efforts to eliminate the various threats posed by mosquitoes. Yes, mosquitoes.

 mosquito

Including the damage humans inflict on each other during times of war, mosquitoes are responsible for more human suffering than any other organism on earth. Well over one million humans die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and with worldwide travel having increased as it has, the risk is greater than ever. Even if you don’t know the diseases caused by mosquitos, you may have heard of them.

 Mosquite-BorneDiseases

Malaria

West Nile virus

Dengue fever

Yellow fever

Japanese B encephalitis

Getting into the specifics of these various diseases is beyond the scope of this particular post. What I’d like for you to appreciate is this list comprises various diseases with deadly consequences.
Furthermore, you’re not defenseless. There are steps you can take to lessen your risks. In the interest in making this manageable, I’m going to focus on the “Ds of mosquito prevention”, because as is the case with most things, prevention is more effective than attempting to cure a disease once it is obtained.

 mosquito_borne_diseases

  • Dusk and Dawn: Try to steer your activity away from the times when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Drain: Get rid of standing water around your home. This is where mosquitoes will lay eggs.
  • Dress: During those times when mosquitoes are most active, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as practical.
  • DEET: Use mosquito repellent. Repellents containing up to 30% DEET are effective. Additionally, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

mosquito

Here are a few other simple tips.

  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Keep infants indoors or use mosquito netting over carriers.
  • If you have a water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish, such as gambusia, goldfish, guppies or minnows.
  • If you’re traveling, be aware of peak exposure times and places, and schedule around these times if possible. Avoid outbreaks.

Being just a bit more sensitive to the risks mosquitoes pose could be an important component of your overall health strategy. Be smart, and be healthy.

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Straight, No Chaser: Avoiding Mosquito-Bourne Diseases

Mosqbite

Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they present. This thought occurred to me when I saw Bill Gates talking about efforts to eliminate the various threats posed by mosquitoes. Yes, mosquitoes.

 mosquito

Including the damage humans inflict on each other during times of war, mosquitoes are responsible for more human suffering than any other organism on earth. Well over one million humans die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and with worldwide travel having increased as it has, the risk is greater than ever. Even if you don’t know the diseases caused by mosquitos, you may have heard of them.

 Mosquite-BorneDiseases

Malaria

West Nile virus

Dengue fever

Yellow fever

Japanese B encephalitis

Getting into the specifics of these various diseases is beyond the scope of this particular post. What I’d like for you to appreciate is this list comprises various diseases with deadly consequences.
Furthermore, you’re not defenseless. There are steps you can take to lessen your risks. In the interest in making this manageable, I’m going to focus on the “Ds of mosquito prevention”, because as is the case with most things, prevention is more effective than attempting to cure a disease once it is obtained.

 mosquito_borne_diseases

  • Dusk and Dawn: Try to steer your activity away from the times when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Drain: Get rid of standing water around your home. This is where mosquitoes will lay eggs.
  • Dress: During those times when mosquitoes are most active, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as practical.
  • DEET: Use mosquito repellent. Repellents containing up to 30% DEET are effective. Additionally, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

mosquito

Here are a few other simple tips.

  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Keep infants indoors or use mosquito netting over carriers.
  • If you have a water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish, such as gambusia, goldfish, guppies or minnows.
  • If you’re traveling, be aware of peak exposure times and places, and schedule around these times if possible. Avoid outbreaks.

Being just a bit more sensitive to the risks mosquitoes pose could be an important component of your overall health strategy. Be smart, and be healthy.

Straight, No Chaser: Avoiding Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Mosqbite

Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they present. This thought occurred to me when I saw Bill Gates talking about efforts to eliminate the various threats posed by mosquitoes. Yes, mosquitoes.

 mosquito

Including the damage humans inflict on each other during times of war, mosquitoes are responsible for more human suffering than any other organism on earth. Well over one million humans die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and with worldwide travel having increased as it has, the risk is greater than ever. Even if you don’t know the diseases caused by mosquitos, you may have heard of them.

 Mosquite-BorneDiseases

Malaria

West Nile virus

Dengue fever

Yellow fever

Japanese B encephalitis

 
Getting into the specifics of these various diseases is beyond the scope of this particular post. What I’d like for you to appreciate is this list comprises various diseases with deadly consequences.
Furthermore, you’re not defenseless. There are steps you can take to lessen your risks. In the interest in making this manageable, I’m going to focus on the “Ds of mosquito prevention”, because as is the case with most things, prevention is more effective than attempting to cure a disease once it is obtained.

 mosquito_borne_diseases

  • Dusk and Dawn: Try to steer your activity away from the times when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Drain: Get rid of standing water around your home. This is where mosquitoes will lay eggs.
  • Dress: During those times when mosquitoes are most active, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as practical.
  • DEET: Use mosquito repellent. Repellents containing up to 30% DEET are effective. Additionally, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here are a few other simple tips.

  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Keep infants indoors or use mosquito netting over carriers.
  • If you have a water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish, such as gambusia, goldfish, guppies or minnows.
  • If you’re traveling, be aware of peak exposure times and places, and schedule around these times if possible. Avoid outbreaks.

Being just a bit more sensitive to the risks mosquitoes pose could be an important component of your overall health strategy. Be smart, and be healthy.

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA). Enjoy some of our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

 

Straight, No Chaser: Sealed with a (Wrong Type of) Kiss – Zoonotic Diseases

zoonosisdoglick

It’s interesting how we take animals for granted. Many of us touch and handle them, play with them. Some people keep their pets in their faces, allowing them to kiss and lick them. Do you ever think about where they’ve been and whether they are ill and contagious? Would you be surprised if I told you that approximately 60% of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that cause human disease originates from animals?

 zoonosis

That’s right. There are many diseases that animals have that can be transmitted to humans. These groups of diseases are called zoonoses. It’s at least worth giving it some thought; many of these diseases don’t even require direct contact with the affected animal. Even more concerning is the fact that about 75% of newly emergent infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin.
We spend a lot of time in places where infected animals and insects may exist. Besides exposures in relatively exotic areas such as farms, woods, nature parks and petting zoos, simpler environments such as pet stores, fairs, schools and childcare facilities may also prove to be risky.

 zoonosisdeer

Many different types of animals pose these risks, including rodents, amphibians, live poultry, reptiles, insects and an assortment of domestic and wild animals. Here are a few examples (but not an exhaustive list) of how disease may spread that have been particularly common in the news of late.

  • Many animals carry rabies, including bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, wolves, coyotes, cattle, monkeys, mongooses and dogs.
  • Reptiles such as turtles, iguanas and snakes can transmit Salmonella, a prominent cause of food poisoning.
  • Handling your cat’s kitty litter (or otherwise handling stool) can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be deadly to those with weakened immune systems or to unborn children.
  • West Nile has been in the news every year this millennium, causing over 1.5 million infections in humans since 1999.
  • Deer and deer mice carry ticks that can lead to Lyme disease, a bacterial infection involving a rash, fever, chills, body aches and possible arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders.
  • Other common infections caused by these exposures include anthrax, dengue, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, E. coli infection, malaria, Plague and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

If you’re a good pet owner (and otherwise healthy), you shouldn’t have to worry about this much. Simple steps such as keeping your pets’ shots up to date, keeping their play areas clean, avoiding direct contact with wildlife and maintaining basic hygiene measures such as hand washing after contact sufficiently lowers your risk. Here are a few additional tips:

  • Keep tabs on your kids to ensure they wash their hands properly and avoid thumb-sucking, eating and pacifier use after animal contact and before cleaning up.
  • Use insect repellents that contain 20% or more DEET on the exposed skin and be generous with it when in risky areas.
  • Use products that contain repellents (such as permethrin) on your clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents.
  • Look for and remove ticks from your and your children’s bodies.
  • Limit mosquito breeding grounds around your home by getting rid of items that hold still water.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have on this topic.

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what 844-SMA-TALK (844-762-8255) and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress