While you try to pump iron as hard as you can in the gym, it’s always good to keep an eye out for toxic viruses your health is vulnerable to while being exposed to the gym items. Though your frequent gym visits are an attempt to achieve your fitness goals, you could possibly end up with itchy, weird-looking and in some cases, serious health conditions. This is because your fitness haven is home to burgeoning bacteria, viruses and infections.
Regardless of the germs lurking in your local gym, you can still workout without having your health affected by these germs. For this, you first need to know what kind of germs dwell in a gym environment and potentially how harmful they are for you. Once you are informed of all the possible health hazards you might face in a gym, protect yourself from these malicious creatures by keeping your hygiene rules intact. Make it a habit to wipe down gym equipment with proper disinfectants before using them. Wash your hands thoroughly with a good antibacterial soap or a sanitizer before and after workout. Never use a gym shower barefoot.
Following are the most common gym infections that can cause some real concern.
Human Papillomavirus Infection
Known as the HPV virus, this infection often resolves on its own without any treatment. However, sometimes the infection grows into pre-cancerous lesions that increase the likelihood of cancer in the genital, mouth and throat. Symptoms include growth of warts on the infected area. This infection is contracted by walking barefoot on the gym floor on in gym bathrooms.
There are no known treatments for HPV. However, certain prescriptions help treat warts breakout.
Read more about Gym Hygiene Rules here.
E.Coli
Escherichia Coli, commonly referred to as E. Coli is bacteria that is present in the feces of animals. It can cause food poisoning, urinary tract infections, meningitis and Crohn’s disease. The bacteria is spread by either consuming unhealthy food or using unclean gym surfaces.
If you experience nausea and stomach cramps, take rest and let these symptoms pass. However, if the condition worsens, you should immediately rush to the hospital.
Candida
Candidiasis or Candida is a fungal outbreak that can cause of variety of infections such as thrush, yeast infection, athlete’s foot and ringworm.
The fungus grows in warm humid places, so your gym locker rooms, saunas and swimming pools are probably harbouring with Candida.
Common Candida ailments such as athlete’s foot cause itchiness along with skin flaking on your foot’s side or between the toes. Ringworms appear in the forms of inflamed rings on your palms, toes, or fingers.Usually using antifungal crèmes help solve the issue. However, if you experience fever along with these symptoms, take antibiotics or consult your doctor.
Influenza
Though seemingly harmless, influenza is the flu that often stuffs your nose making you feel extremely lousy. It usually spreads through contained environments and gym is a perfect place to foster the virus. Infected sneezes or coughs transfer the virus into the air that is breathed by others. Common symptoms include sneezes, cough, fever, body aches, shivers and headache.
Flu is treated with over-the-counter drugs that help alleviate the symptoms. Usually the symptoms take from around a week to ten days to subside.
Klebsiella
This bacteria is present in human intestines and feces. It is known to cause pneumonia and urinary tract infections and can sometimes results in meningitis and other infections. The bacteria spreads by using shared surfaces or items. Klebsiella bacteria can be present on gym mats, equipment, weights, and lockers. The right antibiotic helps treat Klebsiella bacteria.
