If You Got Someone Sick Can They Get You Sick Again
Information technology'south that fourth dimension of the year when information technology seems similar everyone you know has had a cold, flu or some other nasty bug.
After being sick, we'll practise anything to avert getting reinfected. So, does that mean we demand to toss out the toothbrush? What else exercise we demand to ditch to stay salubrious?
Luckily, y'all can't exist reinfected by the same cold virus, but there are some 200 different strains circulating at any given time.
"Yous develop antibodies for each of the viruses y'all are exposed to," said Dr. Natalie Azar, NBC medical contributor. "If you are having a common cold that feels like it just doesn't quit, it is probably a dissimilar cold virus."
Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona, agreed.
"Information technology is hard to re-infect yourself," he said.
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Later on being exposed to a virus, the body creates antibodies to fight off the virus. When you recover from that particular virus, your trunk no longer remains susceptible to that strain.
As for re-exposure, that virus on the toothbrush, lip lotion, mascara, sheets or towels won't brand you sick again. But if other viruses and bacteria linger on these items, a new illness tin can develop.
Flu, staph, strep, e-coli, and yeast usually alive on toothbrushes said Dr. Heather Rosen, medical director of UPMC Northward Huntington Urgent Intendance.
"At that place are so many leaner that can reside on a toothbrush; therefore, it is always best to get rid of it in one case you accept been infected with some sort of viral or bacterial affliction," she said.
And, replacing your toothbrush subsequently illness reduces the chance that your nasty brush spreads its germs to anyone else's nearby brushes.
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Yuck factor
On the other side, Gerba says not to worry besides much almost toothbrushes spreading illness.
"Information technology is but a yuck gene," he said.
However, it is generally recommended to modify your toothbrush every three months. And keep it away from the toilet, because airborne droplets released from flushing settle on toothbrushes, Gerba brash.
And, never share toothbrushes.
"Yous can take hold of infections similar a cold, bloodborne disease [think Hepatitis B or C], or fifty-fifty bacterial infections if yous take a risk and use someone else's toothbrush," Rosen said.
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How nearly that lip balm?
When we're ill and dehydrated, lip balm becomes our next best friend — afterward nasal tissue and a cup of hot greenish tea.
Fortunately, lipstick, lip balms and mascara ofttimes contain anti-microbial ingredients, reducing the number of germs flourishing in them, said Gerba.
But, don't share makeup! People tin can nevertheless go sick if they borrow someone else's make-up; information technology'due south an like shooting fish in a barrel way to contract oral herpes or pink heart, says Rosen.
It'south non almost you
When it comes spreading colds and influenza, bar soap and towels tin be germ factories. Afterward rubbing hands on the soap, the germs remain on the bar, said Gerba. If people fail to sufficiently launder the germs off their hands, the leftovers may cling to hand towels.
"They tin be a conduit for transmitting germs," said Gerba. "Alter those towels every 2 or three days."
Sheets tin also harbor germs, which could infect a healthy bed partner if they remain unwashed afterwards affliction.
"Viruses can survive much, much shorter periods of fourth dimension on a porous surface," says Azar. Only they can linger up to 24 hours on difficult surfaces, such as counters, tables, computer keyboards, and remote controls.
It doesn't take much to make clean abroad well-nigh germs, fortunately. Azar suggests thoroughly cleaning the firm, sheets and towels afterward illness "if you want to be kind to other people. It'southward not about you lot — it is about other people."
Source: https://www.today.com/health/nasty-cold-or-flu-finally-over-do-i-need-toss-t75406
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