Staph Infections Highlight the Need for Thorough, Consistent Cleaning Regimen at Home, at School and at Work
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country serves as an important reminder of the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes schools, office buildings and hospitals. Also, because bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, E. coli, influenza and staph can be brought into the home and live on hard surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom counters, doorknobs and stair rails, it is important to clean and disinfect the home using the proper products as well.
"Handwashing is an important deterrent to disease transmission, but disinfecting cleaning products kill bacteria and viruses that soap and water alone will not," said Chris Cathcart, president of the Consumer Specialty Products Association. "Disinfectant products serve as an important part of a hygiene program for the home just as they do for institutions such as hospitals, restaurants and schools. Many people are considering using "green" alternatives to these tried and true cleaning products. Some public authorities, such as school districts, are even contemplating mandating their use. Studies have shown that the most commonly recommended alternatives are not effective against germs that cause disease. When making such decisions, it is important to consider the true effectiveness of alternatives in helping to prevent the spread of potentially deadly diseases."
Disinfectant products can kill even antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Real-life studies have confirmed that the use of disinfectant products does not contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance which is often associated with the frequent use of antibiotic drugs. At the same time, the use of disinfectant products plays an important role in public safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes
the role that these products play in public health and recommends their use in disease prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention). They also are recognized as an essential element in ensuring the integrity of the nation's food supply. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ensures that disinfectant products are labeled appropriately as to their intended use, risks and other helpful information.
A Nevada television station reporter tested two Las Vegas homes for various kinds of disease-causing bacteria, swabbing tile floors, carpeted areas, the soles of shoes, and even the family pet’s paws. The samples were taken to the Silver State Analytical Labs and scientists there found mold, fungus and coliform found in human and animal waste. To read the complete article, ...
As Midwest floodwaters recede and clean-up efforts get underway, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) offers advice to help reduce the risk of infection:Nothing beats hand hygiene – It’s critical to remember to practice basic hand hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water. If your local health authority has ...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a new fact sheet, “Control of Pandemic Flu Virus on Environmental Surfaces in Homes and Public Places,” which explains how cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in homes and public places can help to prevent the spread of pandemic influenza. How Flu Viruses Spread A flu pandemic is an outbreak of illness ...
Advice from a Saint LouisUniversity germ expert is music to the ears of those who dread the annual tradition of spring cleaning. Don’t go overboard, cautions Donna Duberg, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint LouisUniversity’s Doisy College of Health Sciences. “Ask yourself the question: How contaminated is my house?” Duberg says. “If it is just everyday dirt, then ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country serves as an important reminder of the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes schools, office buildings and hospitals. Also, because bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, E. coli, influenza ...
Bacteria and viruses are the microscopic organisms – otherwise known as germs -- that are responsible for causing and transmitting illness and disease. These microbes are so small, that according to the American Society for Microbiology, if the smallest of all microbes was the size of a baseball, an average bacterium would then be the size of the pitcher's mound, and just one of the millions of cells that make up your body would be the size of the ballpark!
