Scary stuff...this current rash of staph"superbug" outbreaks is apparently more widespread and pernicious than commonly thought. Due to the nomadic lifestyle we truckers live, perhaps we should take more care to avoid undue risk of exposure. News reports say everyone should practice thorough handwashing, avoid sharing food, food utensils,towels,bed linen,etc. Also very important to keep any skin wound well covered. Reports say common areas where staph may be present include hospitals, locker rooms, gym equipment, public showers such as motel rooms, campgrounds (truckstop shower facilities?). School-aged children and athletes seem at particular risk. My wife is a nurse at a major hospital and she says this staph superbug is a huge problem and it is alarming public health officials. Is anyone else in the trucking community concerned about this?
Are truckers at greater risk for staph infections?
- Thread starter JoeMP2
- Start date
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
I was always real careful for the simple fact you see hw nasty some of those guys look. I don't think I need to say much more.
I was always real careful for the simple fact you see hw nasty some of those guys look. I don't think I need to say much more.
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
I would say they are. I have seen some pretty rough buffets in many truck stops. Especially the person walking out of the restroom who failed to wash their hands and puts their hands right in the food. Yuck.
Not a big truck stop buffet fan.
Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator
I would say they are. I have seen some pretty rough buffets in many truck stops. Especially the person walking out of the restroom who failed to wash their hands and puts their hands right in the food. Yuck.
Not a big truck stop buffet fan.
Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
Not sure about the infections. I can say that since getting into a truck, Diane and I are healthier than we have ever been. We have not been to a doctor for an unexpected reason (one excpetion but that is a totally wierd story, off topic here). We catch far fewer colds than we used to. As truckers, we miss far fewer days of work due to illness than we did when we worked in offices.
All of this, I think, because we have less up-close human contact than we used to. Out of office buildings, we breath fresher air than that stuff that everyone exhales and the building circulates around. We don't sit in meeting rooms with groups of people any more. Unlike parents at home, we don't have kids coming home from school with their daily doses of goodness knows what?
Truck stop showers pose a risk. We manage that by using shower shoes and minding what we touch after washing up. Other risk management techniques include carrying our own pens to the fuel counter to use when signing receipts and the big one....totally avoiding restaurant buffets, at truck stops or otherwise.
Not sure about the infections. I can say that since getting into a truck, Diane and I are healthier than we have ever been. We have not been to a doctor for an unexpected reason (one excpetion but that is a totally wierd story, off topic here). We catch far fewer colds than we used to. As truckers, we miss far fewer days of work due to illness than we did when we worked in offices.
All of this, I think, because we have less up-close human contact than we used to. Out of office buildings, we breath fresher air than that stuff that everyone exhales and the building circulates around. We don't sit in meeting rooms with groups of people any more. Unlike parents at home, we don't have kids coming home from school with their daily doses of goodness knows what?
Truck stop showers pose a risk. We manage that by using shower shoes and minding what we touch after washing up. Other risk management techniques include carrying our own pens to the fuel counter to use when signing receipts and the big one....totally avoiding restaurant buffets, at truck stops or otherwise.
Wingnut
Seasoned Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
Yup, that staph is VERY nasty stuff. A little boy from our area just died from it. It happened so quickly too. I've always carried baby wipes in all my vehicles (especially in my trucks) so that I can wash my hands often. Even when YOU wash your hands in a public bathroom, there are many who don't so I try not to touch the door handle going out. I'll use my sleeve or a paper towel (if there's any in the washroom). Even then, I'll still go to my vehicle and use a baby wipe to clean my hands off again. You can never be too cautious, especially nowadays.
Yup, that staph is VERY nasty stuff. A little boy from our area just died from it. It happened so quickly too. I've always carried baby wipes in all my vehicles (especially in my trucks) so that I can wash my hands often. Even when YOU wash your hands in a public bathroom, there are many who don't so I try not to touch the door handle going out. I'll use my sleeve or a paper towel (if there's any in the washroom). Even then, I'll still go to my vehicle and use a baby wipe to clean my hands off again. You can never be too cautious, especially nowadays.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
There is actually recomended steps to washing your hands.
1. get the paper towels ready
2. turn on the faucet
3. wet the hands
4. get soap and lather hands and above the wrists
5. rinse soap from hands
6. dry hands
7. turn off faucet with paper towel in hand
I know that seems kind of elementary but it makes a lot of sense. I mean you touch the faucet with you restroom germs then wash your hands, and if you touch the faucet directly to turn it off wouldn't you be getting the germs right back on your hands?
There is actually recomended steps to washing your hands.
1. get the paper towels ready
2. turn on the faucet
3. wet the hands
4. get soap and lather hands and above the wrists
5. rinse soap from hands
6. dry hands
7. turn off faucet with paper towel in hand
I know that seems kind of elementary but it makes a lot of sense. I mean you touch the faucet with you restroom germs then wash your hands, and if you touch the faucet directly to turn it off wouldn't you be getting the germs right back on your hands?
riverrat2000
Seasoned Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
you should also have a pretty good hand sanitizer bill each month
you should also have a pretty good hand sanitizer bill each month
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
I talked to a driver today who was in getting treatment for staph this weekend. The doctor treating him told of a 12 year old boy who came in with it recently. They prescribed antibiotics but because there wasn't a visible problem the mother didn't get the medicine. They were back several days later and the boy's leg had to be partially amputated because of it.
Many will go EWWWW but I'll throw this out there anyway. If you're a guy, don't touch anything but yourself when you use the urinal and then leave. Most urinals flush themselves now. Your body is hopefully clean from regular showering. Urine is actually sterile until it comes in contact with a receptacle of some sort. It's one of only two antivenins to the spitting cobra venom. If you only touch yourself and nothing else you'll leave with exactly the same germs and bacteria you came in with. The guy who washes his hands and then touches the faucet knobs, towel dispenser, and door handles leaves with dirtier, germier hands than you would.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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I talked to a driver today who was in getting treatment for staph this weekend. The doctor treating him told of a 12 year old boy who came in with it recently. They prescribed antibiotics but because there wasn't a visible problem the mother didn't get the medicine. They were back several days later and the boy's leg had to be partially amputated because of it.
Many will go EWWWW but I'll throw this out there anyway. If you're a guy, don't touch anything but yourself when you use the urinal and then leave. Most urinals flush themselves now. Your body is hopefully clean from regular showering. Urine is actually sterile until it comes in contact with a receptacle of some sort. It's one of only two antivenins to the spitting cobra venom. If you only touch yourself and nothing else you'll leave with exactly the same germs and bacteria you came in with. The guy who washes his hands and then touches the faucet knobs, towel dispenser, and door handles leaves with dirtier, germier hands than you would.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
My wife's grandfather died of staph last year after getting a defibulater put in.
My wife's grandfather died of staph last year after getting a defibulater put in.
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
I'm assuming the staph referred to is the one we called MRSA, (for meth-something-I-can't-remember resistant staphaureus, because the meth-something was the antibiotic of choice for staph, and it no longer worked) years ago, when I worked on the trauma unit. We saw a lot of it, mostly either from 'road rash' after an accident, or aquired in the hospital itself. It was scary even then, because nothing was effective against it, except IV Vancomycin - and not always that.
MRSA learned to mutate because doctors overprescribed antibiotics for many years, with the lame excuse that "the patients demand it" (yeah, right) but hopefully, they've learned from their mistakes, and we won't have any more 'superbugs' to contend with...
Meantime, aside from the usual careful hygiene routine, try not to crash your bike, (or at least protect yourself with very heavy leathers), and most especially: try to stay out of the hospital! Unless things have changed a lot, nosocomial, or hospital acquired, cases accounted for the greatest number of infections.
I'm assuming the staph referred to is the one we called MRSA, (for meth-something-I-can't-remember resistant staphaureus, because the meth-something was the antibiotic of choice for staph, and it no longer worked) years ago, when I worked on the trauma unit. We saw a lot of it, mostly either from 'road rash' after an accident, or aquired in the hospital itself. It was scary even then, because nothing was effective against it, except IV Vancomycin - and not always that.
MRSA learned to mutate because doctors overprescribed antibiotics for many years, with the lame excuse that "the patients demand it" (yeah, right) but hopefully, they've learned from their mistakes, and we won't have any more 'superbugs' to contend with...
Meantime, aside from the usual careful hygiene routine, try not to crash your bike, (or at least protect yourself with very heavy leathers), and most especially: try to stay out of the hospital! Unless things have changed a lot, nosocomial, or hospital acquired, cases accounted for the greatest number of infections.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
Honestly I think truckers have less of a chance of getting it than most others. I say this because of the exposure of more cr*p at the truck stops than most kids.
One thing that many microbiologists have warned parents is not to protect kids from things like playing in the dirt, playing with other kids and not to use the bacterial killing soap while they are growing up - ever. Many kids don't have the immune system like I or you do to fight the infections and using anti-bionics only make things worst for them.
Honestly I think truckers have less of a chance of getting it than most others. I say this because of the exposure of more cr*p at the truck stops than most kids.
One thing that many microbiologists have warned parents is not to protect kids from things like playing in the dirt, playing with other kids and not to use the bacterial killing soap while they are growing up - ever. Many kids don't have the immune system like I or you do to fight the infections and using anti-bionics only make things worst for them.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
Too many antibiotics!
A few years back all you had to do was whine a little and the doctor would give you a prescription for antibiotics. Enter antibiotic resistant strains!
The medical community has begun to rethink itself regarding the flagrant and overuse of antibiotics.
Even though physicians have markedly reduced their carte blanche dispensing of antibiotics, they are still in our food chain. Why? Healthier animals eat more; hence, increased body weight, which translates into more money.
I have watched farmers loading livestock onto a truck. They stick a hypodermic gun into the cattle's neck as they walk up the loading chute and pump them with a huge dose of antibiotics so they will look healthy when they get to the slaughterhouse. Yummy!
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS:
1. Pull the lever, wave your hand or push the button on the paper towel dispenser to have a clean towel ready after you wash your hands.
2. Turn on the water.
3. Wet your hands under the running water.
4. Dispense some hand soap into the palm of your hands.
5. Rub your hands and with mechanical force, to generate some lather.
6. Rinse your hands thoroughly.
7. Tear off the towel and dry your hands.
8. Use the towel to turn off the water.
9. Use the towel to open the door.
10.Toss the towel away in the next trash receptacle you find.
As a former member of the medical community, I know that it is common knowledge that most cross contamination in hospitals comes from bacteria laden hands not properly washed.
Too many antibiotics!
A few years back all you had to do was whine a little and the doctor would give you a prescription for antibiotics. Enter antibiotic resistant strains!
The medical community has begun to rethink itself regarding the flagrant and overuse of antibiotics.
Even though physicians have markedly reduced their carte blanche dispensing of antibiotics, they are still in our food chain. Why? Healthier animals eat more; hence, increased body weight, which translates into more money.
I have watched farmers loading livestock onto a truck. They stick a hypodermic gun into the cattle's neck as they walk up the loading chute and pump them with a huge dose of antibiotics so they will look healthy when they get to the slaughterhouse. Yummy!
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS:
1. Pull the lever, wave your hand or push the button on the paper towel dispenser to have a clean towel ready after you wash your hands.
2. Turn on the water.
3. Wet your hands under the running water.
4. Dispense some hand soap into the palm of your hands.
5. Rub your hands and with mechanical force, to generate some lather.
6. Rinse your hands thoroughly.
7. Tear off the towel and dry your hands.
8. Use the towel to turn off the water.
9. Use the towel to open the door.
10.Toss the towel away in the next trash receptacle you find.
As a former member of the medical community, I know that it is common knowledge that most cross contamination in hospitals comes from bacteria laden hands not properly washed.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
If the paper towel is in a dispenser, after a turn of the roll, or two, there is a high degree of assurance it is clean.
Not washing you hands would be worse. Even if I have to bump the faucet with my elbow, wait for someone to open the door, or use my shirt tail to grab the handle...it is the unconscious touching of my mouth with the hand that is a source of transmission. I need to wash my hands.
Example of the lack of training in the medical community:
Had a urine sample taken today. The Medical Assistant had me wash my hands BEFORE I gave the sample. After I handled two urine containers to initial the label, she said, "You can go now." I started to wash my hands again and she said, "What are you doing?"
If the paper towel is in a dispenser, after a turn of the roll, or two, there is a high degree of assurance it is clean.
Not washing you hands would be worse. Even if I have to bump the faucet with my elbow, wait for someone to open the door, or use my shirt tail to grab the handle...it is the unconscious touching of my mouth with the hand that is a source of transmission. I need to wash my hands.
Example of the lack of training in the medical community:
Had a urine sample taken today. The Medical Assistant had me wash my hands BEFORE I gave the sample. After I handled two urine containers to initial the label, she said, "You can go now." I started to wash my hands again and she said, "What are you doing?"
RE: Are truckers at greater risk for staph infecti
Since urine is sterile and presumably the containers, while perhaps not sterile should have been extremely clean at a minimum, I can understand her surprise at you washing your hands again afterward. I'm not saying don't do it, just that while it certainly doesn't hurt anything it may not help anything either.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Since urine is sterile and presumably the containers, while perhaps not sterile should have been extremely clean at a minimum, I can understand her surprise at you washing your hands again afterward. I'm not saying don't do it, just that while it certainly doesn't hurt anything it may not help anything either.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.