PrintProtect Yourself from Illness
Sources of Infection
Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are spread by an infected person, animal or object to another person. In order to know how to prevent illness, it is important to know how disease is spread. The following are four principle sources of infection.
Fecal-oral – Diseases spread by contact with human stool. These diseases are generally characterized by upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Examples include infections with giardia, rotavirus, hepatitis A, salmonella, norovirus (Norwalk-like virus) and campylobacter.
Airborne – Diseases spread by droplets from the nose, throat and mouth. Examples include the common cold, chicken pox, influenza, measles and pertussis (whooping cough).
Body fluids – Diseases spread by direct contact with body fluids, such as blood, urine, saliva or vomit. Examples include hepatitis B, HIV and pinkeye.
Person-to-person contact/contact with contaminated items – Diseases spread by direct contact with infected skin or contact with contaminated objects such as toys, clothing, bedding etc. Examples include ringworm, scabies and lice.
Helpful Tips to Keep You and Your Family Healthy
HANDWASHING IS THE #1 WAY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFECTION.
Hand washing is a simple habit that can help keep you healthy. Learn about the benefits of good hand hygiene, as well as when to wash your hands and how to clean them properly.
Hand washing is a simple habit — one that requires minimal training and no special equipment. Yet it's one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. This simple habit requires only soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water. Do you know the benefits of good hand hygiene and when and how to wash your hands properly?
The dangers of not washing your hands
Despite the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people don't practice this habit as often as they should — even after using the bathroom. Throughout the day you accumulate germs on your hands from a variety of sources, such as direct contact with people, contaminated surfaces, foods, even animals and animal waste. If you don't wash your hands frequently enough, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And you can spread these germs to others by touching them or by touching surfaces that they also touch, such as doorknobs or computer keyboards.
Infectious diseases commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. While most people will get over a cold, the flu is much more serious. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia. The combination of the flu and pneumonia, in fact, is the seventh leading cause of death among Americans.
Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 76 million Americans contract a food-borne illness each year. Of these, about 5,000 die as a result of their illness. Others experience the annoying symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Proper hand-washing techniques
Good hand-washing techniques include washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Hand washing is the mechanical removal of infectious agents. Hand washing should be done using warm water and liquid soap. Rub hands together for at least 15 seconds making sure to scrub the backs of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails. Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” all the way through – twice! Rinse well under warm running water and use a paper towel or air dryer to dry your hands. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use hand lotion to prevent drying and cracking of skin, where germs can hide.
Proper use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't available. They're actually more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing. Not all hand sanitizers are created equal. Some "waterless" hand sanitizers don't contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products.
· Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand.
· Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.
If your hands are visibly dirty, wash with soap and water rather than using a sanitizer.
When to wash:
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Before eating or drinking
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Before, during, and after handling or preparing food
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After contact with blood or body fluids (like vomit, nasal secretions, or saliva)
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After changing a diaper
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After you use the bathroom
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After you blow your nose or wipe your child’s nose
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After handling animals, their toys, leashes, or waste
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After touching something that could be contaminated (such as trash cans, public doorknobs, shared computer keyboards, shopping cart handles)
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Before dressing a wound, giving medicine, or inserting contact lenses
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More often when someone in your home is sick
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Whenever they look dirty
Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve if possible. If you use a tissue, make sure that you dispose of it (don’t re-use) and wash your hands right away.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for a long time on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables.
Stay home when you are sick and check with a health care provider when needed
When you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest, and check with a health care provider as needed. Remember: Keeping your distance from others may protect them from getting sick. Common symptoms of the flu include:
- fever (usually high)
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches, and
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, (more common among children than adults).
Practice good health habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Practicing healthy habits will help you stay healthy during flu season and all year long.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/work.htm
Healthy diaper changing habits
Since many disease causing organisms are transmitted via human stool, it is important to maintain good hygienic practices when changing a baby’s diaper. Proper diaper disposal, surface cleansing and hand washing are the most effective means to prevent the spread of infection. Once the diaper is removed, soiled diapers should be placed in a plastic bag or plastic lined receptacle. Wash the child’s hands. Disinfect the diaper changing area with sanitizing solution and then wash your hands.
Safe food preparation
Sanitary conditions are important and should be stressed wherever food is prepared or eaten. General sanitation rules include washing hands before preparing food. Wash and sanitize food contact surfaces (cutting boards, prep tables, utensils, etc.) between each use to prevent cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful organisms from one food product to another by means of a non-food surface such as utensils, equipment, dishes, cutting boards and human hands. Wash, rinse and sanitize dishes. Wash hands frequently when preparing or serving food. Cuts and burns should be protected with a non-absorbent covering such as a glove or a finger cot.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Cleaning is the removal of physical debris. Sanitizing is the killing of disease-causing organisms. Both are important in preventing illness. You should use an approved chemical sanitizer to kill bacteria. We recommend diluted bleach because it is readily available and inexpensive. Read and follow the instructions for diluting with water and contact time. Never mix bleach with cleaners containing ammonia; they combine to form harmful vapors.
How to handle body fluids
Some germs are spread through body fluids. Intestinal tract infections are spread through the stool. Respiratory tract infections spread through coughs, sneezes and runny noses. Therefore, it is important to handle body fluids in a way which prevents the spread of illness. Steps should be followed to prevent contact with and the spread of disease-causing organisms when cleaning up blood, vomit or other body fluids. These steps include wearing gloves and blotting up the spill. Disinfect the area with a sanitizing solution of ¼ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Disinfect any items used during the sanitizing process (brushes, mops, pails etc.). Dispose of gloves and rags that were used and wash hands.
Toys and play equipment
Toys are especially challenging because of the varying materials and textures involved.
- Cleaning non-absorbent toys: When cleaning non-absorbent toys such as blocks or plastic toys, wash them with soap and water. Clean in a dilute (1:10 to 1:100) bleach solution and rinse well. Air dry.
- Cleaning absorbent toys: When cleaning absorbent toys such as stuffed animals or play clothes, wash them in a washing machine. Bleach should be used if possible. Air dry or machine dry.
- Cleaning bath toys: Bath toys include any toy used in the bathtub that may hold stagnant water in it. When cleaning a bath toy squeeze out the water that may be inside the toys. The inside of the toys should be sanitized with the same solution that is used in the non-absorbent toys and the same procedure should be followed. These toys should be avoided if possible.