If hand sanitisers kill 99.99% of germs, then who are those 0.01% who survive? There are three major kinds of germs which remain active even when you have used your sanitiser.

Norovirus

Among them, is the norovirus that causes diarrhoea and vomiting outbreaks in places like cruise ships and schools. It is superior to many other viruses because it has a protein capsid, which is resistant to the effects of alcohol.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes common illnesses and is also very contagious. It is especially active in the colder month and comes back seasonally. The first norovirus outbreak occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, USA, in a school in 1968, this is where it gets it name from.

Enterococcus faecium

The next on the list is enterococcus faecium, and it lives in the gut. As per a 2024 study titled Enterococcus faecium: evolution, adaptation, pathogenesis and emerging therapeutics, published in Nature journal, it is a Gram-positive bacterium that is a core member of the intestinal microbiota of humans and animals and an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening infections, particularly among hospitalized patients. It mutates in a way that it absorbs carbohydrates and forms a gooey, slime-like substance called the biofilm, which makes it resistant to alcohol.

Clostridium Difficile

Another one is clostridium difficile. This is responsible for causing horrendous diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitalised patients. It also has a remarkable ability to respond to environmental stressors including alcohol gel by going to sleep. It produces spores and allows all metabolic activity.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you've been taking antibiotics. It can sometimes be life-threatening.

Why Do You Label Read 99.99%?

Apart from the germs and pathogens, another reason why your label reads that it kills 99.99% is to avoid any legal hassles. If someone uses a specific product and falls sick, then the person cannot sue the company as the company did not give a 100% safety guarantee against the germs.

A better way to be healthy is always to clean your hands with soap and water and wear gloves wherever is possible.

Complex pesticides can be now be found in food, water and the surrounding environment and while previous research has noted that they can cause damage to vital organs, a new Nature Health study has revealed that high-exposure to such chemicals can increase a person's risk of certain cancers by over 100 percent.

The researchers analyzed 31 pesticides across Peru and compared the health data from more than 150,000 cancer patients recorded between 2007 and 2020 with areas to discover that people living in regions with higher environmental pesticide exposure were 150 percent more at risk of developing cancer. It remains unclear which kind of cancers they are most prone to.

Stéphane Bertani, a researcher in molecular biology at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), at the PHARMA-DEV laboratory (IRD/University of Toulouse) said of the results: "This is the first time we have been able to link pesticide exposure, on a national scale, to biological changes suggesting an increased risk of cancer."

The study also highlights how pesticide exposure may affect the body long before cancer is diagnosed. Although tumors can develop in different organs, some share underlying biological weaknesses tied to their cellular origins and vulnerabilities which may be influenced by pesticide exposure.

Previous studies conducted at the Institut Pasteur, led by Pascal Pineau, also show that pesticides can slowly interfere with processes that maintain normal cell function and identity.

Over time, these disruptions accumulate without obvious symptoms and make tissues more susceptible to other harmful influences, including infections, inflammation and environmental stress, paving the way for cancer development.

Pesticides Can Also Increase Risk Of Lung Cancer

The research from the University of Southern California, presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, found that patients under 50 diagnosed with lung cancer often had better-than-average diets. The experts zeroed in on the culprit, pesticide exposure from conventionally grown produce.

"Our research shows that younger non-smokers who eat a higher quantity of healthy foods than the general population are more likely to develop lung cancer," said lead investigator Jorge Nieva, a medical oncologist and lung cancer specialist with USC.

"These counter-intuitive findings raise important questions about an unknown environmental risk factor for lung cancer related to otherwise beneficial food that needs to be addressed," Nieva added.

Pesticides In Healthy Foods — A Hidden Risk

According to the researchers, the reason may lie in environmental exposure, particularly pesticides used in agriculture. Nieva noted that commercially produced (non-organic) fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are more likely to carry higher levels of pesticide residue compared to dairy, meat, and many processed foods.

He also pointed out that agricultural workers who are regularly exposed to pesticides tend to have higher rates of lung cancer, which supports the possibility of a connection.

The study also found that young women who do not smoke are diagnosed with lung cancer more often than men in the same age group. Women in the study also tended to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains than men.

Kidney stone incidences increase significantly in the summer months; the main reason for this increase is the effect of summer on people's hydration levels. As we get hotter, we sweat a lot, and when we sweat, we lose fluids. If we don't drink enough fluids to replace what we have lost through sweating, our urine will become more concentrated.

Concentrated urine provides a good environment to crystallize minerals, calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and eventually create stones.

In hot weather, it is easy for people to think that they don't need to drink as much water as they really do. The effects of mild dehydration can have a major impact on how many liters of urine a person produces, which is one of the most significant contributors to protecting against developing kidney stones.

When urine production decreases, waste products in the urine become less diluted, so the chances of forming crystals are increased. People who do not exercise much or who don't pay attention to their hydration habits can be at greater risk than others for developing kidney stones.

Poor eating habits in the summertime can add to the problem. Increasing your consumption of salty and processed foods can raise your calcium excretion in the urine, leading to more stones. A high intake of animal protein can increase your uric acid level and decrease your citrate level, a natural inhibitor of stones. Many people will also reduce the amount of fluids and water-rich foods they consume when travelling or working, which further increases the risk of developing stones.

Another factor that isn’t frequently considered is delaying urination. Holding urine for long periods will cause the minerals to settle in the urinary tract and may crystallize, which increases the likelihood of developing stones. Delaying urination in combination with dehydration provides the ideal environment for the formation of stones.

It is important to know and recognize the early symptoms of kidney stones so that you can seek help in a timely manner. Symptoms to watch for are:

• Severe flank pain (back or side),
• burning sensation when urinating,
• nausea and vomiting,
• blood in urine.

Failure to seek treatment for these symptoms can result in complications, such as urinary tract infection or obstruction due to kidney stones.

There are several commonly used methods of preventing kidney stones during the summer months, and they involve very basic lifestyle changes. Consistently drinking enough water so that your urine is clear or light in color is the single most important thing you can do to avoid a kidney stone.

Limiting your intake of additional salt and moderating your animal protein consumption will help as well. Including citrus fruits (lemons and oranges) in your diet may also prevent kidney stones, because they contain citrates, which help to inhibit the formation of kidney stones.

By using proper hydration, good nutrition, and an awareness of the early warning signs of kidney stones, your kidney stone risk will be considerably lowered throughout the summer months.

Non-healing mouth sores are often brushed off as minor issues, but when they persist for more than two weeks, they can signal something more serious.

Mouth ulcers are common and are often caused by stress, minor injuries, or nutritional deficiencies. Sores that do not heal may indicate underlying health concerns, particularly oral cancer.

"Early-stage oral cancers can present as painless ulcers or patches inside the mouth, making them easy to overlook. Conditions like Oral Cancer, Leukoplakia, or Lichen Planus may initially appear as harmless lesions but can progress if left unchecked," Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director – Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe.

Dr. Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson - Radiation Oncology, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, added that mouth sores that don't go away after two to three weeks could be an early sign of oral cancer.

"These sores can be red or white and hurt or bleed easily. This is not the same as regular ulcers," he told HealthandMe.

The experts noted that non-healing sores can also be associated with systemic conditions such as

• vitamin deficiencies (especially B12 and iron),
• weakened immunity,
• chronic infections.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Also read: CDC Delay In Infant Hepatitis B Shots May Surge Infections, Deaths In US: Research

Oral cancer is a wide term for cancer that affects the inside of your mouth, and it typically presents itself as white patches or sores that bleed. It can occur on the:

• Lips.
• Gums.
• Tongue.
• Inner lining of the cheeks.
• Roof of the mouth.
• Floor of the mouth

It is estimated that about 60,000 new cases of oral cancer are reported annually in India, and five people die from the condition every hour. It is the most common cancer in Indian men and the third most common in women, with roughly 20 in 100,000 people affected.

Signs To Watch For

Oral cancer grows slowly, and the first signs usually don't hurt, so a lot of people don't notice them. However, it's important to look out for

• a change in voice,
• a lump in the mouth,
• trouble chewing
• A lip or mouth sore that won't heal.
• A white or reddish patch on the inside of the mouth.
• Loose teeth
• Mouth pain
• Ear pain
• Difficult or painful swallowing.

• Not brushing teeth,
• Tobacco use,
• Alcohol consumption,
• Ill-fitting dental appliances

How To Prevent

Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in effective treatment. If a mouth sore persists, grows, or is accompanied by pain, bleeding, or difficulty swallowing, it is important to consult a healthcare professional promptly. Paying attention to such small signs can make a significant difference in long-term health outcomes.

• Avoid smoking,
• drinking alcohol,
• Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
• Keep your mouth clean.
• Going to the dentist regularly can help spot changes early.