Salmonella, E. coli and influenza — you may have heard of these bad boys, or even fell for them in the past. But do you know enterococcus faecalis? Mycobacterium abscessus? What about Vibrio parahaemolyticus?
Pathogens are disease-causing bacterium or viruses that exist all around us. Sounds scary I know, but the world isn’t as dangerous as you think. After all, you’ve barely heard of most of them. Nonetheless, here’s a friendly little guide to aggressive pathogens that are useful to know.
E. COLI
What it is: Bacteria
Where it’s usually found: Kitchen sinks
Dangers: Causes food poisoning
Prevention: Thoroughly wash hands, chopping boards, kitchen counters and utensils before and after handling raw meat
H1N1
What it is: Virus
Origin: 2009 swine flu first found in Mexico
Dangers: Subtype of Influenza A (aka swine flu and the 1918 flu pandemic)
Prevention: Covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoid close contact, avoid contact with nose, eyes and mouth
SALMONELLA ENTERICA
What it is: Bacteria
Where it’s usually found: Raw meat, poultry and seafood
Dangers: Diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps
Prevention: Thoroughly cooked food and food hygiene in terms of storage temperature and handling
VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS
What it is: Bacteria
Where it’s usually found: Coastal waters, in fish or shellfish, mud
Dangers: Skin infection on open wounds, health complications for those with weak immune systems
Prevention: Avoid cross-contamination, precautionary measures when handling raw food, personal hygiene
FORMALDEHYDE
What it is: Organic compound
Where it’s usually found: Tobacco smoke
Dangers: Coughing, wheezing, nausea
Prevention: Establish no-smoking indoor policies, increase ventilation, keep idling gas engines away from home
HEPATITIS C
What it is: Virus
Origin: Found early in the 14th-century
Dangers: Liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer
Prevention: Avoid sharing needles, practice strict hygiene when getting tattoos and piercings, safe sex
INFLUENZA
What it is: Virus
Origin: 15th century Italy
Dangers: Extreme inflammatory response leading to sepsis, complicates chronic medical conditions
Prevention: Wash hands regularly, covering nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing
MOLD
What it is: Bacteria
Where it’s usually found: Grown in places with lots of moisture, such as roof leaks, windows, pipes
Dangers: Causes food poisoning
Prevention: Keep areas dry / dry wet areas immediately, utilise anti-mold products, avoid indoor humidity
This list is by no means an exhaustive list of all the common pathogens — on average, 3 to 4 new viruses are discovered every year. Bacterial infections can also be treated with antibiotic drugs, whereas viruses require antiviral medication or are prevented through vaccination. Although preventative measures can seem easy to achieve, you can still stop the pathogens in its tracks if you effectively decompose them with alcohol. It destroys disease-causing agents by breaking apart its protein structure, splitting them into harmlessly tiny pieces.
However, despite alcohol being able to kill all germs typically in under 10 seconds, it must still be wet. This is why sprays are often seen as a more effective method, as they coat a surface for longer. Although alcohol and bleach are still held as the standard for effective cleaning, lots of complicated factors can go unconsidered, like proper use, duration and coating — for example, pathogens can resurface quickly after use.
Raze offers a self-sanitising alternative: somewhat like ‘automated’ cleaning technology. Powered with light, it works to effectively decompose pathogens and works up to 3 months. By spraying a coating on a surface, it leaves a long-lasting ‘layer’ that eliminates pathogens, without the need for regular sanitisation.
There is an abundance of innovative cleaning options out there today beyond traditional alcohol disinfectants. We know that these are uneasy times, but let’s get through this together! 🙌