10 Disinfection Tips that Help to Stay Healthy and Prevent Swine Flu Infection

Swine flu virus is the talk of the world today. Whether it is the H1N1 flu, the regular flu strain, or a variety of other nasty bugs that surround us each day, there are ways to help prevent the spread of any virus or illness. While disinfecting and cleaning every surface we come into contact with is not possible, following these 10 simple disinfection tips will help you and your family stay healthy not only during the flu season, but all year round.

Disinfection tip #1 - Wash your hands

You have heard it over and over until you are blue in the face! Wash your hands every day and often to prevent the flu and other illnesses. Always wash your hands after using the restroom and before eating. Washing your hands is quite simply the easiest and best way to keep yourself from contracting the flu or other illness any time of year. To get the most out of your hand washing, length of time and friction are the two most important things to remember. Sing the alphabet song (this is great to teach your children) while rubbing your hands together with soap. Always turn the handles with a paper towel to prevent re-infection. Keep waterless hand sanitizer in your purse and car for easy hand sanitation when you can't wash your hands.

Disinfection tip #2 - Kitchen counters

Surprisingly, one of the most contaminated surfaces your family will come into contact with is your kitchen counter. In addition to flu virus, your countertops could be harboring Salmonella and E.coli and many other microbes. All kitchen surfaces should be cleaned daily and after each use with disinfectant. Bleach can be used, but you can also disinfect with vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Keep plain white vinegar in one spray bottle and 3% hydrogen peroxide in another. Spray each surface with vinegar and then spray with hydrogen peroxide. This has been proven to be more effective than other commercial cleansers, is environmentally friendly and it is inexpensive!

Disinfection tip #3 - Kitchen sponges

Now that you have disinfected your counters, don't re-infect them with a dirty sponge that might well contain Salmonella or Shigella or other germs. The easiest way to disinfect your kitchen sponge is to soak it thoroughly in water and microwave on high for 3 minutes. You should disinfect your sponge after every use. For more information on cleaning your sponge, read "Five ways to disinfect or sanitize your sponge" by Associated Content writer Cindy Lynn.

Disinfection tip #4 - Kitchen cutting boards

Cutting boards, both wooden and plastic, can be major sources of germs, including fecal matter, in your kitchen. After use, rinse your cutting board in hot, soapy water. Then, using the same method as used for your kitchen counters, spray your cutting board first with vinegar and then spritz with 3% hydrogen peroxide. It is also recommended that separate cutting boards be used for fish, poultry and meat and one for fruits and vegetables to help prevent cross-contamination.

Disinfection tip #5 - Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables come into contact with many different nasty germs on their way to your kitchen. Fruits and vegetables should be disinfected before eating and a simple method is to spritz your food first with vinegar and follow with a spritz of 3% hydrogen peroxide and then rinse. Virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on fruits and veggies were killed in tests run using this method at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Disinfection tip #6 - Your office

Your office has many surfaces that are contaminated with many different germs, including the swine flu virus. Most important to disinfect is your telephone, your mouse and your desk top. Keeping these surfaces free of pathogens is as easy as purchasing disinfecting wipes and stashing them in your desk drawer. At the start of each day, whip out a wipe and polish those surfaces before starting to work.

Disinfection tip #7 - Shopping carts

Shopping carts come into contact with hundreds of people each day and your hands remain on the handle for long periods of time while pushing that cart through the store. Some stores display disinfecting wipes right beside the area for retrieving your cart. Always be sure to disinfect the handle and around the top edge of the cart before heading into the store to prevent infection from the swine flu. If your store doesn't have the wipes out for you, squirt a handful of alcohol based gel (that you have stashed in your purse or car) onto your hands and then rub your hands along the surface of the handle.

Disinfection tip #8 - Restaurants

Wiping down utensils in restaurants surprisingly is helpful in removing germs that your wait staff may have left on them. The friction used when rubbing silverware is what helps to remove those pathogens such as the swine flu or E.coli. But the other items at the table such as the menu are rarely cleaned and infrequently replaced. Therefore, it is most important that you wash your hands before diving into to that plate of food in order to prevent infection.

Disinfection tip #9 - At the gym

One of the most germ laden places, your local gym, can be a hotbed for pathogens such as swine flu and E.coli. Bring your own yoga mat and always bring your own water bottle. Always wear flip-flops into the gym shower, as the shower floors are particularly dirty. When it comes to the equipment, research published in the Clinical Journal of sports Medicine determined 63 percent of gym equipment contained the rhinovirus, the germ that causes the common cold. If you do not feel comfortable using your hand sanitizing gel on the handle before pumping weights at each different piece of equipment, be sure not to touch your face and wash your hands immediately when you are finished.

Disinfection tip #10 - Toilets

After cleaning your toilet at home, always be sure to wipe down the handle with a disinfecting wipe. When a toilet is flushed, the spray itself launches millions of pathogens into the air as you stand there breathing it in. Therefore, always close the toilet lid before flushing. If you are in public, you can use your foot to flush the toilet, but be sure to turn your head and hold your breath to stay as far as possible from flush-induced airborne microbes.

Sources:

Rope, Kate (2009, November) Diary of a Germophobe. Shape, 157-161.

Preservion.com

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