Vital Technologies, Inc.

Widely recognized as the second most contracted illness in a hospital setting, pseudomonas are responsible for 10.1% of all hospital-acquired infections. The name pseudomonas is an umbrella term. Broken down, there are twelve different strains. The most commonly acquired and drug resistant of these strains is pseudomona aeruginosa. Pseudomonas in general produce a toxin which destroy tissues.

Legionella acquired its name after a 1976 outbreak among people attending a convention of the American Legion. The mysterious disease sickened over 220 people and resulted in 32 deaths. The agent responsible for the illnesses was identified as a previously unknown bacterium, subsequently names legionella.

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection (pneumonia) caused by a bacteria named Legionella pneumophila, a water born pathogen. Legionella organisms are most commonly found in natural bodies of water and sometimes found in soil. They also can be found in other water sources around ones home. Legionella in able to grow in temperatures ranging from 68 to 131 ° F, although it is able to survive in lower and higher temperatures. This makes hot water tanks, hot tubs, etc prime places for the bacteria to develop. Legionella and other microorganisms become attached to surfaces in an aquatic environment forming a biofilm.

People contract legionnaires disease by either drinking from a contaminated water source or by inhalation of mist containing the bacteria. The incubation period of Legionnaires' disease is from two to ten days; this is the time it takes before symptoms of the illness appear after being exposed to the bacteria. For several days, the patient may feel tired and weak. Most patients who are admitted to the hospital develop a very high fever. Cough can be the first sign of infection. Gastrointestinal stomach symptoms are common with diarrhea being the most distinctive symptom. Many patients have nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort. Other common symptoms include headaches, muscle aches, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Legionnaires' disease is not contagious. No special precautions are necessary. The disease is transmitted via a contaminated water source, not by infected persons.

The presence of E. coli and other kinds of bacteria within our intestines is necessary for us to develop properly and remain healthy. E. coli, along with other species of bacteria, provide us with many necessary vitamins. The bacteria make the vitamins, and our bodies gladly absorb them. We pretty much depend upon E. coli in our intestines for our source of Vitamin K and B-complex.

There are, however, certain strains of E. coli that can be very harmful to us. There is a one strain in particular which is known to cause severe hemorrhaging. This strain is a protein which causes severe damage to the intestine. The damage is so severe that if we acquire this bacterial strain, not only do we lose water and salts, blood vessels are damaged, and bleeding occurs. This condition is particularly dangerous to small children who are too small to tolerate much blood and fluid loss, making this strain of E. coli potentially lethal.

The E. coli bacteria may also cause what is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), characterized by kidney failure and loss of red blood cells and blood clotting. HUS affects the tissues throughout the body and initiates an inflammatory reaction leading to acute renal failure. Approximately 5% to 10% of little kids progress to this stage. In severe cases, the disease can cause permanent kidney damage. The presence of this bacterium can also be very dangerous to the elderly.

E. coli bacteria are everywhere in the environment. Anytime we eat something, drink something, or touch our hands to something that has been either a part of or has been near where animals are there is always the potential to ingest these bacteria. The US Food and Drug Administration have studied E. coli extensively and have outlined safe practices for consumers. When working with food or around animals frequent hand washing is recommended. Certain foods and food processing procedures carry heightened risks.

Mold is an organism that is present in many places. It is a type of fungus that works to break down dead material and return nutrients to the environment, making it an important organism in the ecosystem. Mold grows by digesting plant or animal matter, such as leaves, wood, paper, dirt, and food and spreads by releasing tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. Once the spores land, unless they are destroyed, they begin to take over a new area. Each spore that germinates can give rise to new mold growth, which in turn can produce millions of spores. Mold thrives best in dark moist places. Hot spots of mold growth in the home include damp basements and closets, bathrooms, places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses and upholstered furniture.

On food, mold often is visible on the food's surface, such as the fuzzy green spots that appear on bread. However, molds also have branches and roots. As it grows, the mold's roots can penetrate deep inside the surface it grows on where it cannot be seen. Similarily, mold can penetrate deep into building materials.
All of us are exposed to some mold every day with no bad effects. We may breathe in mold spores that are present in the air or eat foods in which mold has begun to grow. People with mold allergies, however, may have a reaction if exposed to too much of the fungus. If you have a mold allergy, avoiding all exposure to mold may not be possible. However, you can reduce your risk of an allergic reaction by choosing your foods carefully and implementing environmental controll procedures.

Norovirus was recently approved as the official genus name for the group of viruses provisionally described as “Norwalk-like viruses”. Noroviruses are viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu) in humans. Viruses are very different from bacteria and parasites, some of which can cause illnesses similar to norovirus infection. Like all viral infections, noroviruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside of a person’s body.

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often comes on quickly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people the illness is self-limiting with symptoms lasting only about 1 or 2 days. In general, children and the elderly experience more vomiting than adults.

People may feel very sick and vomit many times a day, but the illness has no long-term health effect. However, sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids they lost because of vomiting and diarrhea. These people can become dehydrated and may need special medical attention. This problem with dehydration is usually only seen among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

People can become infected with the virus in several ways. Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth are both ways to contract the illness. Also, having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms, for example, when caring for someone with the illness.

It’s here. We are in the height of flu season and we need to know what can be done to protect ourselves. Many people choose to get a flu shot, giving themselves a mild dose of the flu to boost their natural immunity to the virus. But beyond a vaccine there is more we can do to save ourselves and others around us.

Many different strains of the flu exist. The seasonal flu which is transmitted from person to person comes in several forms. Most people have some immunity to viruses. Avian flu (bird flu) has been a topic in the news in recent years. This occurs naturally among wild birds. There is a variant, however, that has spread to domestic fowl and in recent cases has been transmitted to humans. The seriousness of the bird flu lies in the fact that, for this variant, humans have no natural immunity and no vaccines exist. Once it begins we may be facing a pandemic flu, an outbreak that scientists say could spread around the globe in just a few months. Statistically, we are long overdue and experts at the CDC say it’s just a matter of time before the next influenza pandemic exists.

So how do you tell the difference between a common cold and the flu? Well, they are both respiratory illnesses both caused by viruses. But they are caused by different types of viruses. Flu symptoms usually come on quickly, within 3-6 hours, and consist of a fever, body aches, dry cough, and extreme tiredness. Cold symptoms are less severe and people experience a stuffy nose, productive cough, tiredness, and body aches. Symptoms of a cold are always going to be less severs then the flu. Still, the only way to be sure may be to see a physician. Because the two illnesses are caused by different viruses they may react differently to the same antibiotics.

It has been confirmed that at least one source of contamination that has caused an epic outbreak of salmonella has been identified. Peanut butter and peanut paste.

Food manufactures have been issuing recalls all last week since the identification of the contamination. This outbreak has killed at least six people and sickened more than 470 others in 43 states. At least 90 people have been hospitalized.

Officials have been focusing on peanut paste and peanut butter made at Peanut Corp. of America's plant in Blakely, Ga. On Sunday, Peanut Corp. expanded its own recall to all peanut butter and peanut paste produced at the Blakely plant since July 1. The company does not sell directly to consumers but provides manufactures of other food products with their peanut products. These products include peanut butter crackers, cookies, ice cream, cake, etc.

The recall last week by Kellogg, the world's largest cereal maker, affected products including Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies, Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers. Kellogg has recalled 16 of its products due to fear of contamination. It is estimated the recall affected 7 million cases of its products. It is not sure how many packages of Kellogg’s products have tested positive for salmonella.

On Monday, Midwestern grocer and retailer Meijer Inc. said it was recalling two types of crackers and two varieties of ice cream because of the possibility of salmonella contamination: Meijer brand Cheese and Peanut Butter and Toasty Peanut Butter sandwich crackers, and Peanut Butter and Jelly and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

The death of a Virginia teenager from a staph infection is raising awareness of a potential problem all over the country. Both grade schools and day care centers have reported spikes in staph infections. Staph is a bacteria that is present on the skin and in the nostrils of all people but usually is not problematic. Recent scares of what may become an epidemic involve MRSA, a strain of staph that is resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA has long been a problem in hospitals, but recently has become much more widespread.

Because it is able to spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, staph is a huge concern in schools, day care centers and gyms. Staph also has the ability to live outside the body. If your student or toddler is at a desk or playing in an area where another staph-carrying person has been, they now are susceptible to infection. In order for infection to occur, staph must get past the protective layer of skin. This means the best protection form staph is to keep open cuts, scrapes and bites covered.

If you suspect your little one may have contracted a staph infection, symptoms to watch for include tiny white-headed pimples at the base of a hair shaft, boils, infected bumps or blisters, redness or swelling of the tissue below the skin, a stye, or an infected wound. In the earliest stages of an infection, many people mistake their symptoms for a spider bite. The only way to confirm staph is to consult a doctor.

Ever go to get into your cozy comfortable bed after a long day but it’s not so comfortable and cozy after all? Do your eyes water, congestion begins, and your head feels all stuffy? Well, my friend, it sounds to me like your not sleeping alone – you may have a case of dust mites! Dust mites are the #1 cause of household allergies

Dust mites feed on dead skin; this makes your bed a prime habitat for them. The average person sheds up to 10 grams of skin a day giving dust mites plenty to feed on. Now if you have a pet, that’s even more food for them to thrive on. The dust mite has a life cycle of 3-4 months, during which time each female will lay about 80 eggs. A single dust mite produces about 20 waste droppings a day, each containing a protein that many people are allergic to. . It you’ve never treated for them before, let me tell you, after 10 years of use, a mattress can gain up to 60% of its original weight in dust mites and fecal matter. Ten percent of the weight of a 2 year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings. Gross!