5 facts about Household Bacteria

                 5 facts about Household Bacteria

microbes

Man lives in a home environment full of microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and unicellulars) that are distributed here and there on every surface and everywhere in the house.

Household microbes are such a complex assemblage of microorganisms that are so invisible to the naked eye that if you put thousands of them side by side they might fill only the tip of a pencil eraser. In order to know more about the creatures that roam around us and in our homes, let us discover together a number of facts that science has enriched us with:

1. The vast majority of household microbes are not harmful

Rather, they are necessary for our health and beneficial for us that live among us and with us in peace and harmony. However, some of them may cause disease and may kill at times, bearing in mind that there are several factors that have an impact in this regard, such as age, and the causative factor. , as well as the condition of the immune function.

2. Water and humidity inside the home are among the most important factors for the growth of household microbes

Their presence for long periods in places that do not dry out or on materials that absorb water, such as carpets, increases the likelihood of mold and other microorganisms growing.

3. Dishwashing sponges contain the highest number of microbes

According to a study of 22 households in southeastern Michigan, scientists from NSF International Sanitation Organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, found that dish-washing sponges had the highest number of microbes, followed by toothbrush holders, pet bowls, kitchen sinks, coffee pots, and stove knobs, pet toys and toilet seats. The researchers also found that yeast, mold, and bacteria from the staphylococcus and coli families were present on many of the surfaces tested.

As for the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator, it was a ready source of salmonella, listeria, and fungi bacteria, on the other hand, the coliform bacteria were most present in the meat refrigerator, on rubber spoons, blender fillings, can openers, and pizza cutters.

4. Microbial diversity in house dust

After examining samples taken from 198 homes, a team of scientists led by Jordan Bixia, a professor of chemical and environmental engineering at Yale University, found that homes with pets and those located in the suburbs had a more diverse microbial profile, with fungus predominating in the homes of families who reported about the disease. The presence of moisture and waterproofing in its housing.

At the same level, researchers from Seoul National University in Korea studied the microbes that reside in our refrigerators and on toilet seats, and the result was that they noticed that many of them were residing on human skin, which indicates that we humans are a source of many microbes that roam and frolic in our environment. 

However, the supervisors of this study said that most of the discovered microbes were not the cause of diseases and that a small part of them was blamed.

5. The presence of microbes everywhere in the house causes them to interact with the human body every day

It can have positive or harmful effects, depending on the person, their health, the nature of the microorganisms in their orbit, and other factors and variables.

The positive effect of household microbes is represented in protecting against allergies and the problems arising from them, in a study conducted by the two researchers, Bart. n. Lambrecht and Hamida Hammad, from the Center for Inflammation at the University of Ghent in Belgium, which took place on animal models, the data showed that exposure to some microbes is associated with low levels of allergic infection.

 Professor Bixia noted that some beneficial household microbes that prevent allergic diseases are found in greater numbers in homes inhabited by many families with more than 3 children.

In addition to this, there are indications that chronic exposure to small parasitic worms can benefit their host by protecting it from allergies. 

As for the explanation, those involved in this matter explained that it is due to the similarity of the structure of allergens with worm proteins, which makes the latter compete with allergens. This interrupts immune responses and reactions that can trigger allergies.

As for the harmful effects of household microbes, it has been shown that in people who have already had an allergic disease, fungal infections early in life, especially those that affect the airways, can contribute to the exacerbation of existing allergic asthma, as can airway infections. 

Viruses and bacteria have similar effects. Professor Bixia found that the homes of children with asthma tended to harbor similar allergens, particularly mold and mildew, which were found in high concentrations.

Conclusion

We are trapped in our living environment with microbes all around us. Most household microbes are not harmful, but some of them may carry with them the face of evil, constantly trying to find the appropriate means to penetrate the body's defenses to provoke infection and disease. , refrigerator, kitchen sink, counter, faucets, appliances that use water, and more.