Flu Season: Infection Control Tips

My husband recently contracted a staph infection due to a Foley catheter he needs; therefore, I had to learn infection control procedures for taking care of him. I will also be returning to school in a few short weeks, where I work as a teacher's aide. With the current flu epidemic, these infection control methods can benefit anyone who suspects that a child or family member may have flu or some other infectious condition.

Hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of infection of any kind; some organisms, particularly C. difficile, do not respond to hand sanitizer. Use hot water and plenty of soap; wash thoroughly, including between fingers and the backs of hands; and drying with paper towels is more sanitary than cloth towels.

Disposable gloves are great for when you are cleaning or disposing of soiled materials and trash. They also have other uses around the house; since I'm squeamish, I wear them when cleaning the outside garbage can, killing bugs, and scrubbing the toilet. They are available at most drugstores, in both latex and vinyl, if you're allergic to latex. Never, ever reuse gloves.

Use lotion on your hands if you're washing frequently, and take care of your cuticles. Open skin is an avenue for infection. Keep your hands away from face and eyes as much as possible.

There are lots of antibacterial house cleaners on the market, but one of the cheapest, easiest and most effective is a dilute solution of household bleach. Bottles of bleach have instructions on the label for mixing a dilute solution for disinfection, as well as what type of hard surfaces it is safe to use on. It will also come in handy for laundering soiled items. Mix only what you need to use. If you mix a large batch and then leave it, it will continue to give off fumes. Also, bleach can be corrosive to some materials over the long term, particularly metal. DO NOT use bleach with other cleaners, as the chemicals can mix and produce toxic fumes. Actually, this rule applies to all household cleaners; do not mix!

Be sure to clean and disinfect the toilet and other receptacles which have come in contact with urine, stool, or vomitus. Don't just rinse; sterilize! Make sure not to splash.

Bed linens, clothing, towels, and other laundry from the patient should be placed in a plastic bag and tied shut until ready to launder; don't mix items with other household laundry. Wash with hot soapy water (you can also add a little bleach; check for color fastness) and dry on high heat.

Tissues should be disposed of in a receptacle lined with a plastic bag. Tie bag shut before disposing of in garbage.

Keep eating and drinking vessels separate; wash in hot soapy water. Don't allow kids to share.

Try and isolate the patient in one or two rooms. Make sure to clean toys, remotes and telephones with Lysol or some other cleaner if others in the family need to share them.

If the weather suits, try to open windows and allow fresh air to circulate through the house as much as possible. Obviously, don't let the patient in a draft, or expose them to cold temperatures.

Take care of yourself as well. Eat properly; try to get enough sleep; ask for help if you need it. Allowing yourself to get run down will only make you more susceptible to infection.

With flu season gearing up, now would be a good time to buy the supplies you will need, so that you already have them on hand if someone gets sick. Don't forget the chicken soup!