These Things Aren't Really Contagious
By Sara Butler
Sometimes things seem a lot worse than they really are -- especially things like infection and diseases. You may avoid things because you're afraid to catch something, but the truth is that there are a lot of things people think are contagious that really aren't. Here are just a few of the things that you can't catch from someone else.
Is It Contagious?
If you're not a medical professional, then it can be hard to tell from someone's symptoms if they're contagious or not. Often, the symptoms for both non-contagious and contagious diseases are similar, but how it can be spread depends on the disease. It's never a bad idea to take precautions when you're around someone who is ill and you should always make handwashing a part of your routine regardless.
Things that Aren't Contagious
A few of the diseases that aren't contagious include:
- Pneumonia - Certain types of pneumonia aren't contagious, such as aspiration pneumonia or fungal pneumonia. But viral and bacterial pneumonia is, which make up the bulk of most pneumonia.
- Legionnaires' disease - Outbreaks of this disease aren't normally caused by one person or an animal. In fact, most of the time it's from contaminated water that contains the bacteria. If water droplets are inhaled, then it can cause the disease. Ventilation systems, showers, whirlpools, and faucets are more likely to make you sick.
- Ear infections - You simply can't catch an ear infection from another person. But the bad news is that if a germ caused the infection in another person, you can contract it that way. Most of the time it's really nothing to worry about since the bacteria that causes the infection is limited to the ear.
- Lyme disease - An infected tick is the only way you can get Lyme disease, you cannot get it from another person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pets can't get you sick either, but they can bring the ticks that cause it into your home, so take precautions.
- Poison ivy - The look of a poison ivy rash may make you feel itchy, but you must come into contact with the oil from the plant in order to have a reaction to it. Simply touching a person's rash or fluid from their blisters won't pass the rash onto you.
Of course, you always need to wash your hands and watch out when you're in the presence of sick people, but you don't have to worry about every single illness you come into contact with!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.