If there were a campaign to choose a national anthem for mothers, MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” would have to be on the ballot. Doesn’t it seem like you’re always telling your kids to take their hands off this or that and not put their fingers in their mouth (or nose)? Of course, it’s all intended for their own good. But what’s the truth about what is really “catchy”—and what’s not?
Pinkeye: Contagious. If, that is, it’s caused by a bacterial or viral infection rather than an allergy or eye irritant. But since that’s impossible to judge by looking at someone, it’s best to avoid contact with that person.
Flu: Contagious. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, they release virus molecules into the air that you can inhale. Likewise, if that person has touched an object you handle, the virus can be transferred that way. If you’ve already gotten a flu vaccine, great. But remember that it’s only 70 to 90% effective in healthy people under age 65, so you’re still vulnerable. To further boost immunity, wash hands, get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, and avoid crowds. Oh, and those disposable surgical masks you see people wearing? Virus molecules generally pass right through them.
Poison ivy: Not contagious. The rash and itching result from direct contact with an oily plant resin called urushiol. Blister fluid doesn’t contain any of this, so you can’t catch it from someone else. However, if a pet, piece of clothing, or even a tool or toy has brushed against poison ivy, the oil may linger on it. Some moms have been infected while sorting kids’ laundry.
Psoriasis: Not contagious. Despite how contagious it looks, this scaly skin disorder is actually an immune-system disease that can’t be transferred by contact.
MRSA: Contagious. Think of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a staph infection on steroids—it’s resistant to most antibiotics and can be deadly if it enters the bloodstream. We hear it talked about as popping up mostly in hospitals and locker rooms, but look a little closer to home. When researchers tested cell phones, 20% came up positive for MRSA. (When was the last time you cleaned your cell phone?) Sanitize your cell and your kids’ once a week with disinfecting wipes.
Emotions: Contagious. No doubt you recall when one of your childhood friends started giggling in class and pretty soon you were practically wetting your pants. Scientists have since proven that emotions ranging from sadness to joy can be transferred through expression, body language, and tone of voice. Even movies or songs can transfer feelings. So pick your friends (and entertainment) wisely.
Obesity: Possibly contagious. There’s some scientific evidence that common viruses can infect our cells and cause them to either store more fat or transform into fat cells. In lab experiments, animals have packed on pounds when exposed to something called adenovirus-36. In fact, obese people are three times more likely to harbor it than thin people. More research is needed, but in the meantime keep in mind that overweight can definitely be “socially” contagious. Researchers say a person’s chances of becoming obese increase by 57% if they have a friend who becomes obese, 40% if they have a sibling who becomes obese, and 37% if a spouse becomes obese—even if that loved one lives hundreds of miles away. The good news: It also works the opposite way. When someone loses weight, her friends and family tend to lose weight, too. Now that’s something worth spreading!
Comments from Members
Wow! so germs pass right through those surgical masks? Not good! I also never knew that poison ivey was not contagious! Well...it 'might be'? So I'm guessing it's potentially contagious if the oils are still there. I had that once as a kid and I hope I never get it again!!!MRSA....sounds scary!On the weight thing..I'm naturally a thin person I guess..120 pounds, but I've noticed that whenever major stress is going on in my life like a death in the family, being there for a family member trying to keep custody of a little girl who's mom just passed; things like that seem to cause me to put on weight., usually not over 10 pounds but still....I wish that didn't happen! Stress is such a horrible thing!
i work with children so im always worried about passing any kind of virus or germ deborah11/03/09
I agree stress can put on weight. I'm not naturaly thin and it takes a lot of work just to be not overly overweight. Did that make sense?I thought too that if the oil was still on the skin from poison ivy that it was contagious. In fact my oldest son bumbed up against someone at church who had poison ivy and he had it the next day! Not fun.
I HOPE EVERYONE WASHES THEIR HANDS AFTER GOING TO THE GROCERY STORES, MALLS,ETC. ALL THOSE LITTLE GERMS ARE OUT THERE JUST WAITING FOR YOUR HANDS AND THEN YOU TOUCH YOUR FACE, YOUR MOUTH, YOUR NOSE OR YOU RUB YOUR EYES. WATCH OUT!! WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!
I carry hand sanitizer evrywhere I go now. I use wipes on shopping carts and my purse too!. I don't want to take any chances with all these extra germs and stuff out there. Hearing about how quick you can catch stuff is scary.
Actually, poison oak can be considered contagious in that many people who have been exposed to it (and don't know it yet) have been known to spread the urishiol oil to other people's skin with casual contact. My niece, who had been running through the noxious weed on a camping trip, and didn't know it, also liked to sit on everyone's lap. Well, after a couple of days when several of us came up with poison oak on our legs and knew we hadn't been exposed, but saw our niece with a horrible case of the "scratchies and itchies", we realized what had happened. Remember - leaves of 3, let them be. It it's hairy, it's a berry. But if it's shiny, watch your hiney!
I hope we all keep in mind germs/illness have ALWAYS been there, we just focus on what is going on now and get more frightened. I'm NOT saying not to take ALL the recommended precautions, just feel we are beginning to panic, and that isn't good! Good health wishes to all!!
Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. Sing the alphabet song to yourself while scrubbing to ensure you're washing the proper amount of time.
I got coupons for the new kashi cereal and was not able to find it anywhere and i tried hard. I love Kashi brand foods and was very disappointed that i could not use the coupons by Oct 31st. Did they have a shortage or did businesses not stock it ? Did any one else have this problem or know where to get it? Any chance we can get more coupons?????ThanksDeb V
Emotions are def contagious! Whenever my husband is in a stupid mood, it brings me down. No matter how much I try to get him out of his "funk", it's like I always end up getting moody too! UGH!
Something we all need to talk about with our older kids ... STD's. They are VERY contagious! It may be uncomfortable to talk about with them but it will be even more incomfortable if we discover our son or daughter has been infected.
We noted a zealous mommy at a restaurant the other night. She used a number of household cleansing wipes on the table before giving their daughter some finger food to eat. I've never had any concerns about that restaurant's cleanliness. Perhaps she should simply carry a disposable styrofoam bowl or dish instead.
Great tips on staying healthy. I have had a lot of coworkers infected with colds and flus, and it is helpful when they stay home because not only can they recover, but they don't spread germs to everyone at the office.
With all the media about the H1N1 -I still see so many people coughing and sneezing without covering their months. I wash my hands often and sneeze and/or cough in my sleeve so i don't spread germs, especially at work where everyone has been out a day or two for the flu.
I can so relate with the poison ivy one....I had two terrible bouts with it when I was in my 30s. We lived in the country then and had a lot of woods around us. My lab got into the woods and had it on her fur and then brushed against me being affectionate, plus I touched some poison ivy by mistake (dumb me LOL). I hope everyone stays healthy with the fly season in full swing!MRSA is bad....my husband used to be a nurse and many of his patients had MRSA. They were put in special rooms I was always afraid he would get it.
