Every time I go to the gym I always get funny looks when I wipe the machines down before my workout. That’s ok, people at the gym can look at me funny all they want. I use to not wipe them down before my workout, just after. The reason why i started wiping the equipment down before is because I got so sick one time from the gym equipment that I was out of commission for 3 weeks. People who don’t wipe the machines down after they use it are gross and everyone in the gym who does wipe down equipment feels the same. Ewwwww! That’s what I’m thinking when I see someone not wiping equipment down.
So spray and wipe down machines before and after you use them, lay a towel down, and invest in a pair of flip flops. And make sure you change out of your gym clothes right after, and wash your hands really good.
Here are some things you could get from dirty gym equipment:
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS
Human Papillomavirus is a virus that you probably know as HPV. It’s the most common sexually transmitted disease, but sex isn’t the only way you can get it. HPV lives in the body’s epithelial cells. These are flat and thin cells found on the skin’s surface and also on the surface of the vagina, anus, vulva, cervix, penis head, mouth, and throat. Of the 100 HPV types, about 60 types cause warts on areas such as the hands or feet. These sexually-transmitted HPV viruses are spread through contact with infected genital skin, mucous membranes, or bodily fluids, and can be passed through intercourse and oral sex. HPV can infect skin not normally covered by a condom, so using a condom does not fully protect someone from the virus. Also, many people don’t realize they’re infected with HPV and may have no symptoms, so neither sexual partner may realize that the virus is being spread.
KLEBSIELLA
Klebsiella species are routinely found in the human nose, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract as normal flora; however, they can also behave as opportunistic human pathogens. Klebsiella species are known to also infect a variety of other animals, both as normal flora and opportunistic pathogens.
Klebsiella organisms can lead to a wide range of disease states, notably pneumonia, urinary tract infections, septicemia, meningitis, diarrhea, and soft tissue infections.
E. COLI
E.coli is a germ, or bacterium that lives in the digestion tract of humans or animals. There are many types of E. coli, and most of them are harmless. But some can cause bloody diarrhea. Some strains of E. coli bacteria may also cause severe anemia or kidney failure, which can lead to death. Other strains of E. coli can cause urinary tract infections or other infections. You get an E. coli infection by coming into contact with the feces, or stool, of humans or animals. The bacteria can also spread from one person to another, usually when an infected person does not wash his or her hands well after a bowel movement. E. coli can spread from an infected person’s hands to other people or to objects.
STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Staphylococcus is a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and hair as well as in the noses and throats of people and animals. These bacteria are present in up to 25 percent of healthy people and are even more common among those with skin, eye, nose, or throat infections. Staphylococcus can cause food poisoning when a food handler contaminates food and then the food is not properly refrigerated. Other sources of food contamination include the equipment and surfaces on which food is prepared. These bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature to produce a toxin that causes illness. Staphylococcus is killed by cooking and pasteurization.
If you get this you will experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, severe abdominal cramps and mild fever. Yay!
CANDIDA
It is caused by the overgrowth of a type of yeast called Candida, usuallyCandida albicans. This yeast is normally found in small amounts in the human body. Many species are harmless commensals or endosymbionts of hosts including humans; however, when mucosal barriers are disrupted or the immune system is compromised they can invade and cause disease.
Antibiotics promote yeast infections, including gastrointestinal Candida overgrowth, and penetration of the GI mucosa. While women are more susceptible to genital yeast infections, men can also be infected. Certain factors, such as prolonged antibiotic use, increase the risk for both men and women. People with diabetes or impaired immune systems, such as those with HIV, are more susceptible to yeast infections.
It loves warm, moist areas, so locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools and showers are the perfect environment to pick up some nasty foot fungus.
STREPTOCOCCAL BACTERIA
There are many different types of Streptococci bacteria, and infections vary in severity from mild throat infections to life-threatening infections of the blood or organs. Most streptococcal infections can be treated with antibiotics. Their are two different types. The alpha-haemolytic which are often found on the surface of the skin and inside your throat. It can be spread in droplets in the cough or sneeze of someone infected, or through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated object. The the kinds of symptoms you get are throat infections, tonsillitis, swollen glands. Skin infections that can cause sores, blisters and crusts to form on the skin. Ear infections are common along with sinusitis.
INFLUENZA
The flu is a virus that cause a nose, throat and lung infection. You can get it by air, so contained areas like airplanes, movie theaters and gyms are a great place to catch it. Breathe in the droplets from someone’s coughs or sneezes, or get the virus on your hands and touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. It comes with fever, body aches, coughing, sneezing, chills, dizziness, flushed face, headache, lack of energy and, sometimes, nausea and vomiting that lasts between four and seven days.
Remember next time you visit your gym, wipe that equipment off and save yourself from weeks of sickness.
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