This article is republished from Conversation under Creative Commons License.
As flowers bloom and temperatures rise, many people are eager to get back outside. But while the sun may be shining, there’s a gloomy side that can make the great outdoors not so great.
Gangs of germs lurk in the forests, soil, water and food, ready to rain on the summer parade.
I am professor of microbiology at Indiana University School of Medicine, where I study and teach in infectious diseases. Here are some things to keep in mind to facilitate you and your loved ones avoid illness while still enjoying your summer activities.
Germs in the yard
There is nothing like the smell of a good barbecue and fresh delicacies from your own garden. To ensure that people leave the party with only good memories, watch out for the germs that are often associated with food poisoningwhich can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.
Meats, including fish and poultry, often contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Or Listeria. Raw meat can contaminate anything it touches, so wash your hands and disinfect surfaces and utensils. To avoid cross-contamination, do not keep uncooked meat near prepared foods. Meat products must be cooked appropriate temperatures to ensure that harmful germs are destroyed before consumption.
In addition to bacteria, there is a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may cause acute food poisoning. Toxoplasma parasites are excreted in microscopic form oocysts in the feces of infected cats. Oocysts persist in the environment for a year or more, and other animals, including humans, may accidentally ingest them.
After infection Toxoplasma forms tissue cysts in the meat of food animals – another reason to cook meat thoroughly. Pregnant people Be especially careful when avoiding Toxoplasmabecause the parasite can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage or birth defects.
To avoid contracting toxoplasmosis from oocysts, wear gloves when gardening, wash fruits and vegetables, and make sure the sandbox is free of cat feces and covered when not in utilize.
Germs in water
Recreational water features such as swimming pools, water parks and fountains are a great way to beat the summer heat. The the smell of chlorine this is a good sign that the water is being purified to kill many types of germs.
Unfortunately, some germs can remain infectious in chlorine for several minutes or days, which is enough time to spread from one person to another. These include viruses such as norovirusbacteria such as E. coliand parasites such as Cryptosporidium AND Giardia.