<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[In the Life of a Germ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your ultimate resource for infection control and microbiology insights, made engaging and approachable.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/under-the-microscope</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2026 01:09:54 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[NHSN CLABSI: Pneumonia… Or Is It?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A patient has fever, new RLL consolidation, S. aureus in sputum, and S. aureus bacteremia. Walk through the 2026 NHSN PNEU criteria to decide whether this is a secondary BSI or a CLABSI.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/nhsn-clabsi-pneumonia-or-is-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aac357a1985ca71b50c3961</guid><category><![CDATA[NHSN & Surveillance]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:47:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/363d4a_91125d7943c346e0bf670df3cd301ee1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It Walked Thru the Door: Bed Bugs Part 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[Bed bugs are hitchhikers, not residents. Here’s a practical healthcare response for containing belongings, caring for the patient, managing the room, and preventing the next ride.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/it-walked-thru-the-door-bed-bugs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aab27e02dc1ddd4aee2e552</guid><category><![CDATA[It Walked Thru The Door]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:23:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_2e6089e3edd14b7b9d53191ab7154c4e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[No Boarding Pass Required: How EVS Stops Germs in Their Tracks]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germs only need a ride. See how Environmental Services helps break the chain of infection through cleaning, disinfection, clear responsibilities, and safer patient-care spaces.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/no-boarding-pass-required-how-evs-helps-stop-germs-in-their-tracks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aaaddf4c4df873899e48d5d</guid><category><![CDATA[IPC Practices]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 18:54:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_d611e711bcff4b94acb1f949b8dbaf9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Dirty Truth: Raw Pet Food, Therapy Dogs, and the Germs We Share]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pet food can carry bacteria, and pets may spread them without ever showing signs of illness.  Here's why hand hygiene matters for pet owners and therapy-animal programs.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/the-dirty-truth-raw-pet-food-therapy-dogs-and-the-germs-we-share</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a94f0b97ba802b41b93044d</guid><category><![CDATA[The Dirty Truth]]></category><category><![CDATA[IPC Practices]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 03:43:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/12b5de0f8a6d4bff9fdb20e63af3b7a1.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[NHSN CAUTI: But Wasn't the Fever From Something Else?]]></title><description><![CDATA[This case involves a potential CAUTI in a patient with influenza whose only qualifying symptom was fever.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/nhsn-cauti-but-wasn-t-the-fever-from-something-else</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a90cc44bb9b5df79517449b</guid><category><![CDATA[NHSN & Surveillance]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:57:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/363d4a_39d1395301714dd7b5c02c59046786e5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Dirty Truth: C. diff and Hand Hygiene]]></title><description><![CDATA[Does alcohol-based hand rub work against C. difficile?  Sort of.  And that's where the confusion starts.  Here's why soap and water still matter, when sanitizer might be appropriate, and what the evidence actually says.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/the-dirty-truth-about-c-diff-and-hand-hygiene</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a89b1fef46f94d7c1a1a743</guid><category><![CDATA[The Dirty Truth]]></category><category><![CDATA[IPC Practices]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:04:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_57374c364b43614e665255~mv2_d_3300_2550_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[NHSN CAUTI: The Foley Was Removed, and the Patient Went Home.  Can This Still Be an NHSN CAUTI?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Is it a hospital-acquired CAUTI when the discharged patient returns the next day with a UTI?]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/the-foley-was-removed-and-the-patient-went-home-can-this-still-be-an-nhsn-cauti</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a638bb359dc3f2805c635e7</guid><category><![CDATA[NHSN & Surveillance]]></category><category><![CDATA[Clinical Q&A]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:00:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/363d4a_39d1395301714dd7b5c02c59046786e5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Meet the Germs: When Salmonella Skips the Gut]]></title><description><![CDATA[Salmonella typically causes a self-limiting GI illness in most infected people.  So why does it sometimes escape the gut and cause more severe disease?]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/when-salmonella-skips-the-gut</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e3b9aca96d49e56ec057d8</guid><category><![CDATA[Micro Interp]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:11:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_5df1c36153b844bbb1b06689d71a0598~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Meet the Germs: I tried to explain what a CPO was… and made it worse]]></title><description><![CDATA[Simple explanation for what a CPO is and how it can spread.]]></description><link>https://www.inthelifeofagerm.com/post/i-tried-to-explain-what-a-cpo-was-and-made-it-worse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e3b66843fd38a1bb728445</guid><category><![CDATA[Micro Interp]]></category><category><![CDATA[Clinical Q&A]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:58:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9be719cef0aa40b39e6d64bb983d75d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>ITLOAG</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>