General Discussion

Avalux

(35,015 posts)

5. Viruses and bacteria are so prevalent because there are billions of them everywhere...

Sat Oct 4, 2014, 04:24 PM

Oct 2014

they were here before human beings, and they'll be here when we're gone. Most are not harmful, some are helpful, and some are bad for us. You have a lot of them living on your skin and inside your body right now.

While we can do things to cut back on infection rates, we will never get to a point where we can eradicate the ones that are spread very easily, like respiratory infections. Ebola is not a respiratory infection, sneezing and coughing are not cardinal signs, it's not spread that way - not airborne. It's not easy to catch.

So I'm a little confused by your last two sentences. How is Ebola easier to catch, and why is the jury still out?

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Ebola: I'm dumbfounded... [View all] PCIntern Oct 2014 OP

You're right. The only rational solution is to just stay under the bed (please take extra underwear) PSPS Oct 2014 #1

That was NOT the point of the post. PCIntern Oct 2014 #3

I certainly don't get the point of your post. BillZBubb Oct 2014 #77

It requires an all-out approach. Octafish Oct 2014 #2

Well said, my dear PCIntern. I can't add anything but K&R. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Oct 2014 #4

Viruses and bacteria are so prevalent because there are billions of them everywhere... Avalux Oct 2014 #5

Did I not just say that it is harder PCIntern Oct 2014 #7

You said 'harder to catch in some respects, but just as easy in others'. Demit Oct 2014 #27

Yes: PCIntern Oct 2014 #28

Ebola is not transmitted the same as a cold or the flu. Avalux Oct 2014 #60

Spittle >>>>> into somebody else's eyes/mouth/nose just sufficient to kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #73

That is direct personal contact, still not the same as a cold or the flu. n/t Avalux Oct 2014 #74

I never said it was the same as colds of flu, which are aerosolized and kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #76

My apologies.... Avalux Oct 2014 #80

It's also not healthy to live in a sterile environment. Marrah_G Oct 2014 #9

THAT is the POST OF THE YEAR! PCIntern Oct 2014 #30

Hehe- thanks Marrah_G Oct 2014 #31

With that in mind... PCIntern Oct 2014 #32

Ebola is highly infectious because it takes only 1-10 virus particles kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #72

Which jury are you serving on? Boomer Oct 2014 #6

Does every post have to be a dissertation? PCIntern Oct 2014 #8

Where are you going with this? Boomer Oct 2014 #10

All right... PCIntern Oct 2014 #12

I have no idea why 1dogleft Oct 2014 #33

I have been here ten years... PCIntern Oct 2014 #34

It wasn't reasonable to bring up JFK Texasgal Oct 2014 #36

I completely understood your OP. cwydro Oct 2014 #13

Thank you. I'm truly appreciative. PCIntern Oct 2014 #14

they are exposed by any definition, but not infected magical thyme Oct 2014 #11

Absolutely…BUT PCIntern Oct 2014 #15

I live in Maine, so for the moment I feel lucky. magical thyme Oct 2014 #16

Stephen King Territory! PCIntern Oct 2014 #18

I thought about Ebola while getting my nails done the other day ecstatic Oct 2014 #17

Try being a dentist… PCIntern Oct 2014 #20

Only the hysterical people. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #57

You're right…I'm the one splattered with people's blood and secretions. PCIntern Oct 2014 #59

So where are your hysterical posts on HepC? Barack_America Oct 2014 #61

One will kill you in a very ugly way up to 90% of the time seveneyes Oct 2014 #19

Do you know the lifespan of the Ebola virus outside a host? Also..I wonder what chemicals... BlueJazz Oct 2014 #21

It would vary as to the ambient temperature, nature of the surface, PCIntern Oct 2014 #24

Ebola is easily killed by disinfectants that kill nonenveloped viruses. kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #75

Also, I'm cutting the people who are minimizing the potential risks some slack ecstatic Oct 2014 #22

I understand and respect that... PCIntern Oct 2014 #23

True. Did you see this article? ecstatic Oct 2014 #25

I hadn't. I like that. PCIntern Oct 2014 #26

I saw that. 840high Oct 2014 #37

It's also training. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #58

I think the danger is significant that it will spread here, yet I am not all that worried. Chemisse Oct 2014 #29

refraining from touching your eyes or nose is harder than you imagine magical thyme Oct 2014 #35

I've started carrying wipes in 840high Oct 2014 #38

I have my doubts about this stuff, too. ladyVet Oct 2014 #39

Well, that's how disease spreads PCIntern Oct 2014 #40

That's a normal way for a human to think. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #53

"Colds, various flus, childhood diseases, parasitic worms, head lice" customerserviceguy Oct 2014 #41

This is fear-mongering. elias49 Oct 2014 #42

You are dead wrong... PCIntern Oct 2014 #43

We're all gonna die!!! (That better?) nt elias49 Oct 2014 #46

Nothing in between, right? PCIntern Oct 2014 #47

Read your own OP PC! elias49 Oct 2014 #48

What the hell are you talking about? PCIntern Oct 2014 #49

Just hypothesizing .. like you. elias49 Oct 2014 #50

Now you'll walk it back... PCIntern Oct 2014 #51

There are a lot of things at work Warpy Oct 2014 #44

that's very true, Warpy: PCIntern Oct 2014 #45

I've been wondering about the food-borne illnesses that seem to be Nay Oct 2014 #63

Interesting... PCIntern Oct 2014 #64

I didn't know that was one of its names, but yes, I am familiar with that Nay Oct 2014 #67

Often it is the utensil used to cut your salad was used for something else PCIntern Oct 2014 #70

"We got this. Nothing to see. Move along, people." valerief Oct 2014 #52

…and how dare you insolently question our methodology? PCIntern Oct 2014 #54

Well, America does have the best press conferences in the world, so I guess valerief Oct 2014 #55

if it gets bad enough, Americans will start wearing masks and gloves esp. on public transportation librechik Oct 2014 #56

read this ny times q&a; the virus does not spread readily unblock Oct 2014 #62

the earliest symptoms are fever and headache magical thyme Oct 2014 #65

i'm not saying it can never be spread to people who had no idea they came into contact with unblock Oct 2014 #68

If they are allowed in the hospital due to insurance problems OR PCIntern Oct 2014 #66

yes, but you're more likely to die from a bus accident trauma than from bus pole ebola. unblock Oct 2014 #69

that is certainly true at this time... PCIntern Oct 2014 #71

Are you saying if the are NOT allowed in the hospital? BillZBubb Oct 2014 #78

Quaranteed after "exhibiting flu like symptoms" of vomiting HockeyMom Oct 2014 #79