Types of Bad Bacteria

Exposure to bacteria is unavoidable. These microscopic organisms are present on almost everything you come into contact with, including your own body. Luckily, the overwhelming majority of bacteria are harmless and sometimes helpful. However, one percent of bacteria do pose a constant threat to humans and animals.

Staphylococcal

• Staphylococcal, or staph, is a harmful bacteria responsible for the majority of staph infections. Staph are extremely resilient and easily transmitted. They can travel from person to person and live on surfaces and spread on contact. The bacteria can survive drying and extreme temperatures, including cooking, as well as high levels of salt. Staph bacteria are commonly found on the skin or inside the nose and typically do not cause problems. Common ailments attributed to staph bacteria are skin infections, pneumonia, food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome and blood poisoning. Severe staph infections are typically the result of a weakened immune system. There are some things a person can do to prevent infections from exposure to staph. These include: washing your hands and using a clean, disposable towel to dry and turn off the faucet; using hand sanitizer with at least 62 percent alcohol; keeping open wounds clean and covered in sterile, dry bandages; changing tampons frequently when menstruating; and avoiding shared personal items such as towels, sheets, razors and athletic equipment.

Listeria Monocytogenes

• Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, also called listeria, are found in soil and water and can grow in cold temperatures, including refrigerators. People are most often exposed to Listeria through consumption of raw vegetables, infected meat, unpasteurized milk and processed foods such as cheese, hot dogs and deli meats. The majority of healthy people are no affected by exposure to listeria, though exposure can result in Listeriosis. Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever and chills, head and muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms are often mild and easily mistaken for the flu or other illnesses. The illness is most prevalent in and harmful to pregnant women, unborn babies, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. To prevent exposure to Listeria, use precooked and ready to eat foods soon after purchase and heat them until very hot; avoid consumption of rare meat and seafood; avoid raw milk and products containing it; and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables.

Salmonella

• Salmonella refers to a group of bacteria that are the most common cause of food-borne illness in the United States. The bacteria live in human and animal intestines and are eliminated in fecal matter. People are typically exposed to the bacteria through the consumption or handling of raw poultry, eggs and beef, as well as unwashed fruit and vegetables and unsanitary water. Salmonella exposure can also result from handling reptiles and other pets. Salmonella can result in sickness within 12 to 72 hours of exposure. The illness typically lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps and headaches. The majority of those affected recover without treatment; however, the bacteria can have more devastating effects on infants, the elderly and those with chronic conditions. To avoid exposure to salmonella: wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, handling raw meat and poultry, cleaning pet waste and touching reptiles or birds; store raw meat and poultry separate from other foods and keep them separate during preparation and cooking; avoid eating raw eggs such as in uncooked batter, ice cream and eggnog.