If you’re lucky, then the cold and flu has skipped your house this year, however that ‘lucky’ group is getting smaller and smaller as the season progresses. The girls and I were taken down a couple of weeks ago and Mr. Sthole finally caught it this last weekend. So how do you avoid infection? Washing your hands regularly is typically recommended and the use of hand sanitizers is promoted too. A recent study however has found that in the long term, facilities that rely too much on hand sanitizers actually report more outbreaks of norovirus-related illnesses.
The active ingredient in hand sanitizers is a form of alcohol. This works as an antiseptic. Other ingredients include water, fragrance and glycerin. Alcohol based sanitizers are useful to prevent most bacterial and viral infections but has a few rare expectations. Hand sanitizers won’t work against infections caused by C. difficile. This is a bacterium that can lead to inflammation in the colon and can be life threatening.
Though this study shows you shouldn’t rely on hand sanitizers it doesn’t mean you should stop using it all together. More research is needed to fully understand why more outbreaks were reported by facilities who relied more on sanitizer than hand washing, though the research done by the American Journal of Infection Control showed that the chance of an outbreak for the 91 long term care facilities who were more likely to use hand sanitizer over soap and water was six times greater.
The CDC says that washing hands is your best action of prevention. This is especially important after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before eating or preparing food. Sanitizers may help but it is not a substitute for washing with soap and water but is a good alternative if soap and water isn’t available.
Proper hand washing includes 20-30 seconds of vigorous scrubbing with soap and warm water. The soap is important but so is the physical rubbing of your hands.
Proper hand sanitizing consists of one or two squirts or pumps and rubbing your hands briskly together front and back and between your fingers. Also pay attention to around and under your nails.
To help cut down on infection in the home use cleaning supplies to wipe down surfaces wash your hands frequently and don’t prepare food if you’re sick. Wash your hands after taking care of a sick family member and before dealing with a member who is well.
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