Latest news with #AssociationforProfessionalsinInfectionControlandEpidemiology
Buzz Feed
10-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Hidden Germs: The Dirtiest Spots In Your Bedroom
People are very aware of the germs that lurk in public places like grocery stores and airports. But less thought goes to the potentially harmful microbes in private spaces like your bedroom. 'We all have this image of our bedrooms as being a sanctuary, but actually, there's a surprising amount of bacteria, fungus and allergens there,' Carol McLay, an infection preventionist and president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, told HuffPost. To help folks protect their health at home, we asked experts to break down the germiest areas in bedrooms and share their advice for reducing contact with harmful microbes. Pillows 'Pillows and pillow cases are a hot spot for bacteria, fungi, dust mites and dead skin cells,' said Kelly Reynolds, a professor and chair of the community, environment and policy department at The University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health. 'These contaminants can make you sick, spread skin infections and trigger respiratory symptoms or asthma attack in susceptible persons.' Think about how much of your life you spend sleeping in your beds with your head on the same pillow. It might be one of your most regularly touched household items. 'There's a statistic that a two-year-old pillow can weigh up to 10% more from just from dust mites and skin cells,' McLay said. She pointed to a 2005 study out of the U.K. that found pillows can contain millions of fungal spores, particularly Aspergillus fumigatus. 'A professor who worked on the study said that we know the pillows are inhabited by the house dust mite, which eats fungi,' McLay said. 'A theory is that the fungi are, in turn, using the house dust mites' feces as a major source of nitrogen and nutrition, along with human skin cells. There could therefore be a miniature ecosystem at work inside your pillow.' Fortunately, there are ways to keep the ecosystem at bay, but we'll get to that later. 'Bed sheets can be similarly contaminated but also have additional risk of excess fecal and skin bacteria accumulating from our bodies along with large amounts of sweat, skin oils and dead skin cells,' Reynolds said. 'If you eat in bed or sleep with pets, the contamination levels of bacteria, dust, hair, and pet dander can dramatically increase.' This is why many people change into their 'inside clothes' before touching their beds after returning home. 'Sheets collect microbes like a sponge and offer a nice place for them to grow such as moisture, heat, and food,' said microbiologist Jason Tetro, aka 'The Germ Guy.' Mattresses 'How often do people clean their mattresses? Probably never,' McLay said. Over time, mattresses collect dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat and other things that can trigger allergies and asthma and also degrade the quality of the mattress more quickly. 'While bed sheets and pillow cases can be washed, accumulation of contaminants in mattresses may be more difficult to control,' Reynolds said. 'Germy places in your bedroom are obviously going to be any high-touch surfaces, so your light switches and your door handles,' said McLay. 'These are things that are touched quite a bit but don't necessarily get cleaned very often.' The Floor 'One of the most germ-filled areas is the floor,' Tetro said. 'The human body continually sheds microbes and this leads to contamination of surfaces.' He noted that walls and tabletops may also have microbial contamination, but it tends to be in fewer numbers. 'Feet inevitably will contaminate floors and that can build up over time,' Tetro explained. Most bacteria and fungi can survive for days ― and viruses for about a day ― so they can accumulate and grow in numbers. While most of them will be skin-based, some can also be fecal, especially if pets are also frequenting the bedroom. Studies have suggested that some of these bacteria may be antibiotic-resistant, Tetro added, noting that this could be a problem if it leads to an infection. 'Consistently I find that electronics are some of the germiest sites in a home,' Reynolds said. 'Remote controls and cell phones are commonly used in the bedroom and these frequently touched, rarely disinfected items can be important reservoirs for germs to collect.' If you share your room with your spouse and even your young children on many nights, keep in mind that the remote is coming into contact with multiple individuals who can spread germs. Meanwhile, your cell phone is traveling to your room from many different places. 'If your phone goes with you to the bathroom, it may become contaminated with disease causing fecal bacteria and viruses,' Reynolds said. Carpeting And Upholstery MoMo Productions / Getty Images 'Any kind of carpeting and rugs is going to trap dirt, dust mites and bacteria,' McLay noted. 'The same goes for your curtains and your upholstered furniture.' She emphasized the importance of vacuuming your carpeting and upholstery but acknowledged that it's more challenging to clean fabric items like curtains and furniture ― compared to simply spraying and wiping a solid surface with disinfectant. But it's an important thing to remember nonetheless. 'Upholstered or fabric based bed frames, towels and napkins, laundry bags ― these may be specially affected avenues due to high contact by hands, presences of fomites that are ideal for germs, and often times, a tendency to not clean these items and areas frequently,' said Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at New Mexico State University. Jena Ardell / Getty Images 'The majority of microbes are harmless and won't lead to any problems. However, the potential does exist for skin irritation, allergies, and odor,' Tetro said. 'So, whether you choose safety or stink, make sure you clean the bedroom at least once a month and change those sheets every few weeks ― or sooner if you sweat heavily during the night.' Although the various surfaces in bedroom might not need as much attention as those in bathrooms and kitchens, you still need to do regular cleaning and disinfecting. 'It is a good idea to establish routine habits for bedroom hygiene,' Reynolds said. 'Wash bed linens weekly in hot water and use the high-heat cycle on your dryer for the most effective germ kill. Keeping extra pillowcases on hand will allow you to change them every few days so that the site were you lay your head ― the area on your body where germs are most likely to enter via the eyes, nose and mouth ― will have minimal levels of contaminants.' She recommended vacuuming carpets, mattresses and upholstered furniture regularly. There are special vacuums and other products that can be a real game changer, especially for mattresses. Don't forget to wash your actual pillows and replace them in the recommended time frame as well. 'Use of hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers can also keep allergen counts down,' Reynolds said. 'And don't forget to wash pet beds frequently as well.' If you let your pets onto your bed, make sure to at least wipe down their paws. For high-touch hard surfaces like TV remotes, be sure to frequently use disinfectant. 'Bedroom cleaning should be thorough and frequent,' said Khubchandani, who also recommended cleaning door handles, knobs, lamp buttons and 'creating a partition of some kind between a bedroom and restroom if they are attached with each other.' Taking the time to remove moisture, dust and food crumbs from surfaces in your bedroom can also go a long way. 'A hygiene routine in your bedroom is even more critical if someone in the home is sick,' Reynolds noted. 'Increasing the frequency of the prevention methods above may help to dramatically reduce the spread of infections to other people living in the home.' HuffPost.
Axios
03-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
D.C. affected by nation's biggest flu season in 15 years
The worst flu season in 15 years has left hundreds of thousands of Americans hospitalized nationwide, and D.C. is feeling it too. Why it matters: The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard. "The two predominant strains that are circulating right now are known to be more severe and have more severe outcomes, especially in high-risk patients," said Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. "It's really clogging up our ERs and our outpatient facilities. And for the first time, we've seen cases of influenza that have surpassed COVID-19 in hospitalizations and deaths, since the COVID pandemic began," she said. By the numbers: There have been at least 480,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths from flu as of Feb. 22, per the CDC. That's on a pace to surpass the previous high recorded during the 2017-2018 flu season. D.C. peaked at 1,580 new positive flu cases in early February, then declined to 655 the last recorded week, per D.C. data. Context: Despite the decline, D.C.'s most recent flu numbers are still higher than the peak of last year. Zoom in: Hospital admissions for flu are up at Children's National, with the risk being highest among unvaccinated children, said Nia Bodrick, a pediatrician at the hospital. She said it's not too late to get a flu vaccine. "We're still in full swing of the flu season," Bodrick said. "I would estimate we will continue to see flu activity through March, maybe even early April." For those who do get sick, Bodrick said it's important to distinguish between a common cold, which comes on over a number of days, often with a low-grade fever, while the flu generally comes on suddenly with more severe symptoms, including higher fevers Parents should be particularly watchful for persistent fevers that won't go down over a couple of days, even with medicine like Tylenol, she said. Between the lines: This flu season may be more severe because rates of seasonal flu vaccination have been falling in recent years for some groups, including children. Compounding the problem is the fact that this year's flu vaccine was a bit less effective (35%) than in a typical year (45%). People have also had much less exposure to flu in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Axios
25-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
Minnesota's brutal flu season eases slightly, but hospitalizations remain high
Minnesota's head-splitting flu season rages on, though there are signs in the latest state data that the peak could be behind us. The big picture: The worst flu season in 15 years has left hundreds of thousands of Americans hospitalized while straining physicians' offices and emergency departments. The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard this year. The latest: Data released by the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday shows that hospitalizations, deaths and reports of patients seeking care for influenza-like illnesses all dipped for the week ending Feb. 15. Yes, but: Viral activity statewide remains "high," health officials warn, and the state is still on track to end the season with the most flu hospitalizations in over a decade. Zoom out: This flu season is classified as "high-severity," with estimates of at least 29 million cases, the most since the 2009-10 season, according to the latest CDC data. Nearly every state is reporting high or very high flu activity. By the numbers: Just over 6,100 people in Minnesota have been hospitalized with the flu this season, an increase of 40% or more over the last two years. In the metro, the total number of hospitalizations is roughly double what it was at this point in recent years, as the chart above shows. What they're saying: Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, told Axios that the two predominant strains right now "are known to be more severe and have more severe outcomes, especially in high-risk patients." "It's really clogging up our ERs and our outpatient facilities." Stunning stat: Influenza has surpassed COVID-19 in hospitalizations and deaths for the first time since the COVID pandemic began," McLay said. Between the lines: This flu season may be made more severe because rates of seasonal flu vaccination have been falling in recent years for some groups, including children. About a third of Minnesotans are considered up to date on their flu shots this year, per MDH. The bottom lin e: Though flu season often peaks in the winter, it can last through April or May. With a lot of virus still going around, experts say it's not too late to get vaccinated.
Axios
20-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
North Carolina flu deaths spiked in early February
The country's worst flu season in 15 years has left hundreds of thousands of Americans hospitalized while straining physicians' offices and emergency departments. Why it matters: The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard. North Carolina has reported 246 influenza-associated deaths since October, the state's latest data show. Two were children between ages 5 and 17. More than 160 were adults older than 65. "The two predominant strains that are circulating right now are known to be more severe and have more severe outcomes, especially in high-risk patients," said Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. "It's really clogging up our ERs and our outpatient facilities. And for the first time, we've seen cases of influenza that have surpassed COVID-19 in hospitalizations and deaths, since the COVID pandemic began," she said. Zoom out: This flu season is classified as a "high-severity" season, with estimates of at least 29 million cases nationwide, the most since the 2009-2010 flu season, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. There have been at least 370,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from flu as of Feb. 8, per the CDC. That's on a pace to surpass the previous high recorded during the 2017-2018 flu season. Nearly every state is reporting high or very high flu activity, with roughly 32% of tests coming back positive and some areas testing as high as nearly 40% positive. "It's lots of more severe illnesses. Of the adults that are being hospitalized, most of them are having pneumonia and requiring intubation and ventilation," McLay said. Zoom in: North Carolina reported "very high" flu activity for the week ending Feb. 8, when it reported nearly 13% of emergency department visits were for flu-like illnesses — up from 3.7% at the same time last year — and 57 flu-associated deaths. That Feb. 8 week was the worst of this season, so far. The percentage did drop to 9.2% for the week ending Feb. 15, and the flu-associated deaths fell to 34. Of particular concern nationally is the severity being seen in kids this year. There have also been reports of a limited number of pediatric cases with serious neurological complications associated with the flu. There have been 68 flu deaths in kids across the country. Pediatric flu deaths hit a record 200 last year, and this season is shaping up to be worse, said Matthew Cook, president and CEO of Children's Hospital Association. Yes, but: In North Carolina, this year's pediatric influenza-associated deaths are lower than last year's, when the state had 16, its highest number since 2004. As of the week ending Feb. 17 last year, North Carolina reported 11 pediatric flu-associated deaths, compared to the two so far this year. Between the lines: This flu season may be made more severe because rates of seasonal flu vaccination have been falling in recent years for some groups, including children. Compounding the problem is the fact that this year's flu vaccine was a bit less effective (35%) than in a typical year (45%). People have also had much less exposure to flu in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We think because people were social distancing and using masks for so long during COVID that we have reduced immunity to it," McLay said. What we're watching: Public health officials say they are increasingly flying blind since they can't interact with or get flu data from global sharing platforms FluNet and FluID since the Trump administration announced the U.S. exit from the World Health Organization. "We are communicating with them but we haven't heard anything back," Maria Van Kerkhove, emerging diseases and zoonoses unit head for the WHO, said in a press conference. She added that the WHO had learned about bird flu updates not from the CDC, but from posts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That also has ramifications for next year's vaccine, since the global body helps determine the composition of seasonal shots. This especially rough year for season flu coincides with the spread of avian flu throughout U.S. poultry and dairy farms, as well as wildlife. The fear is if the two have enough chances to mix, it may eventually create an avian flu strain that could spread between humans and turn into a pandemic. The bottom line: There's a lot of respiratory virus still going around this season. If you haven't gotten the vaccine yet, it'd still be prudent to get one, experts urge. "There is no doubt, the data is out there, if you are vaccinated for the flu, even if you do get the flu, it is much less severe and it prevents you from being hospitalized and, obviously, prevents death as well," McLay said. "It's not too late to go out and get a flu vaccine."
Axios
20-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
Flu infects thousands in Massachusetts
The worst flu season in 15 years has left hundreds of thousands of Americans hospitalized while straining physicians' offices and emergency departments. Why it matters: The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard. Driving the news: The U.S. is seeing a "high-severity" season, with estimates of at least 29 million cases, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. That's the highest number since the 2009-10 flu season. By the numbers: Massachusetts has reported more than 48,000 flu cases since October, per state data. At least 16,000 people nationwide have died from the flu as of Feb. 8, including 139 people from Massachusetts, per the CDC and state data. Threat level: The two predominant strains circulating are known to be more severe, especially in high-risk patients, says Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. "It's really clogging up our ERs and our outpatient facilities. And for the first time, we've seen cases of influenza that have surpassed COVID-19 in hospitalizations and deaths, since the COVID pandemic began," she said. The spread has raised concerns about the impact on children. At least 68 children have died from the flu, including six children in Massachusetts. Pediatric flu deaths hit a record 200 last year, and this season is shaping up to be worse, said Matthew Cook, president and CEO of the Children's Hospital Association. There have also been reports of a limited number of pediatric cases with serious neurological complications associated with the flu. Between the lines: This flu season may be made more severe because rates of seasonal flu vaccination have been falling in recent years for some groups, including children. Compounding the problem is the fact that this year's flu vaccine was a bit less effective (35%) than in a typical year (45%). People have also had much less exposure to flu in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We think because people were social distancing and using masks for so long during COVID that we have reduced immunity to it," McLay said. What we're watching: Public health officials say they are increasingly flying blind since they can't interact with or get flu data from global sharing platforms FluNet and FluID after the Trump administration announced the U.S. exit from the World Health Organization. That also has ramifications for next year's vaccine, since the global body helps determine the composition of seasonal shots.
