All About Germs

Klebsiella: What is it? A bacteria that is usually found in healthy human intestines and stool

Klebsiella: Symptoms Urinary tract infections Pneumonia Blood Infections Meningitis ***The type of infection you get depends on how it enters into your body (through the nose results in pneumonia, through the urethra leads to urinary tract infections)

Klebsiella: How do you get it? It is spread through contact. Any shared surface – cardio machines, workout mats, weights, water fountains, locker rooms

Klebsiella: How is it treated? Antibiotics

Klebsiella: How can you prevent it? Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant Wash your hands

E. Coli: What is it? Common bacteria found in the intestines and stools of animals

E. Coli: Symptoms Abdominal cramps Nausea Diarrhea Vomiting Can lead to pneumonia

E.Coli: How do you get it? Swallowing the bacteria Usually from contaminated foods Unclean gym surfaces Contaminated water

E.Coli: How is it treated? Wait it out and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated If symptoms last more than 5 days or symptoms of dehydration are present see a doctor

E.Coli: How can you prevent it? Wash your hands after every bathroom visit Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant

Staphylococcus Aureus: What is it? Bacteria that causes skin infections

Staphylococcus Aureus : Symptoms Superficial rash with pimples and/or boils on your skin If the bacteria spreads deeper into the skin can become a life-threatening infection such as pneumonia, sepsis or meningitis In severe cases can cause MRSA, a very aggressive form of staph that is resistant to antibiotics

Staphylococcus Aureus: How do you get it? Spread through contact – shared towel, skin to skin contact, exercise equipment surfaces

Staphylococcus Aureus: How is it treated? Antibiotics

Staphylococcus Aureus: How can you prevent it? Wash hands often Always wear shoes in the training area Wear shower shoes when in a locker-room Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): What is it? Sexually transmitted disease that causes genital warts and can lead to cancer

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Symptoms Genital warts Warts in the throat and mouth Plantar warts (warts on the feet) If left untreated can lead to cervical cancer in women and penile and anal cancer in men

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): How do you get it? Plantar warts can be picked up from walking around barefoot in bathrooms and in showers

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): How is it treated? Regular check-ups with your doctor Removal of the warts through freezing

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): How can you prevent it? Always wear shoes in the training area Wear shower shoes when in a locker-room Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant Wash your hands

Candida: What is it? Yeast-like fungus that can lead to athletes foot, ringworm, jock itch in men and yeast infections in women

Candida: Symptoms Ringworm is usually marked by ring-shaped skin rashes, usually on your toes, sometimes on your palms and between your fingers. Athlete's foot gives you itchy, cracked, flaking and peeling skin between the toes or side of the foot, Jock itch causes a rash on your groin. If it's untreated, it can escalate to blisters and severely cracked skin.

Candida: How do you get it? Contact. It loves warm, moist areas, so locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools and showers

Candida: How is it treated? Antifungal creams If it escalates into an infection, antibiotics are required

Candida: How can you prevent it? Always wear shoes in the training area Wear shower shoes when in a locker-room Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant Wash your hands

Streptococcal Bacteria: What is it? A type of bacteria that usually causes upper respiratory infections--strep throat. There are 20 different types of strep bacteria.

Streptococcal Bacteria: Symptoms Symptoms can range from mild throat infections to pneumonia. It can also cause skin infections such as impetigo, which causes blisters, and cellulitis, which affects deeper layers of skin.

Streptococcal Bacteria: How do you get it? It's very contagious and is spread through person-to-person contact, airborne droplets, doorknobs and other surfaces. Sweaty exercise equipment, saunas, locker rooms and drinking bottles can harbor strep.

Streptococcal Bacteria: How is it treated? Antibiotics, although minor strep infections, such as a throat and inner ear infections, usually get better on their own. Skin infections are treated with antibiotic tablets or creams, and more serious infections like pneumonia and meningitis require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.

Streptococcal Bacteria: How can you prevent it? Always wear shoes in the training area Wear shower shoes when in a locker-room Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant Wash your hands

Influenza (The Flu): What is it? It's a virus, which causes a nose, throat and lung infection

Influenza (The Flu): Symptoms Fever Body aches Coughing Sneezing Chills Dizziness Flushed face Headache Lack of energy Sometimes, nausea and vomiting Symptoms last between four and seven days

Influenza (The Flu): How do you get it? Through the air; contained areas like airplanes, movie theaters and gyms are a great place to catch it. Breathing in the droplets from someone's cough or sneeze, Get the virus on your hands and touch your mouth, nose, or eyes

Influenza (The Flu):How is it treated? Wash your hands Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant

Influenza (The Flu): How can you prevent it? Get a flu vaccine Wash your hands Clean equipment with an approved disinfectant Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze