We have all heard it time and time again. The #1 way to stop the spread of disease (commonly referred to as "breaking the chain of infection" in the medical community) is
HAND WASHING. But, how many people really wash their hands regularly.
It is recommended that the average person with average daily activities wash their hands a minimum of 10 times per day. When was the last time you washed your hands??? Many of us have been in the middle of this scenario:
You're out at a restaurant or shopping at your favorite store. Suddenly you realize nature is calling. You visit the public restroom facilities and sure enough someone is in the stall or standing at the urinal next to you. They finish their business, flush the toilet (if your that lucky) and proceed to walk out the door without washing their hands.
Only about 75 percent of woman and 50 percent of men wash their hands after using the toilet. Only 33 percent of middle and high school females wash their hands, and only 8 percent of boys wash their hands after using the toilet. An independent survey of restaurants that offer breath mints on their hostess stands was taken and the #1 contaminating
pathogen found on samples taken from the breath mint baskets contained
E. coli, a naturally occurring intestinal
bacteria found in all humans.
There are several ways that
disease is spread, the two most common modes of transmission are:
Vectors -- Most commonly an insect, such as a mosquito, tick or flea, that carries disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.
Fomites -- An inanimate object or substance that is capable of
transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another. A fomite is basically any object that you can touch such as a phone, door handle, computer keyboard, mouse, faucet, shopping cart handle, multi-use condiments found on restaurant tables (salt and pepper dispensers), etc. etc. I think you get the picture.
Fomites are probably the most common cause of
infection in most people. Think of all the things you touch in a day. Today is grocery shopping day, you stop at your local supermarket and grab a cart. Unknown to you the person that used that cart before you stopped off at the stores restroom facilities was in a hurry and didn't bother to wash their hands before returning to shopping. Now there is
E. coli on the handle of that cart. The person that used the cart before that person had the common cold and sneezed into their hands several times while shopping. Now that handle also contains the common cold virus.
Seem extreme? Well it isn't, it is happening right now in your local supermarket, in fact all of our supermarkets. Really pay attention next time you are shopping, people coughing into their hands, wiping their mouths and noses. I think you will be surprised. (Yes, I am a people watcher.)
Now, you have arrived at the supermarket and innocently grab ahold of a shopping cart not realizing that you are just seconds away from contracting the
flu virus. Everything you touch and place into your shopping cart you are contaminating with all the
pathogens (disease causing organisms or viruses) that other people have left behind. Not only that, but once you arrive home and unpack your purchases your family is also coming in contact with these pathogens when they pick up an item you picked up.
Many stores are offering
anti-microbial wipes at the cart kiosks to wipe down the cart handles before shopping. A fantastic idea and I suggest taking advantage of these wipes before you shop.
There are many products out on the market today that are designed solely for the purpose of breaking the chain of infection. We are going to cover a few of them here, others I will cover in later blogs. The main focus will be cleaning products, mostly
green cleaning products, for home and personal cleansing.
Lets start with the most obvious since
HAND WASHING is the #1 way of breaking the chain of infection:
ANTI-MICROBIAL HAND SOAPS:
Tons and tons of these products out on the market today. From bar soaps to pump dispensers. This is a fantastic, and probably the cheapest and most effective product for home use. Placing a dispenser of this product in the bathrooms, at the kitchen sink or just about anywhere there is a water source might help remind you and your family to wash their hands.
I might note that this product should only be used for HAND WASHING it should not be used for bathing. Everyone has naturally occurring bacteria on their skin (referred to as normal flora) and using an antimicrobial soap to bath in will reduce the amount of normal flora on your skin and can increase your chances of contracting an infection.
Also another product that has many brands and types to choose from. From pocket sized to industrial sized 10 pound jugs. This is a great product when needed in a pinch and no hand washing facilities are available. Keep a dispenser in your purse, pocket or car console. A couple of quick pumps and rubbing of the hands together can eliminate up to 98% of disease causing pathogens.
All purpose, multi-surface wipes are a great option of around the home. From "green" to not so green. I would lean more towards a green product especially if you have small children in the home. Keep these under the bathroom sink and in the kitchen. Quick and easy clean up of spills and just easy sanitizing of faucet handles, counter tops and cutting boards.
Probably one of my most favorite at home products. Most of my home is hardwood floors. I have always considered myself a VERY clean person until I bought my steamer mop. I couldn't believe how dirty the mop pad was after I finished cleaning the first time with my steamer mop. I will never clean my floors with any other product again. There are many mops to choose from, I have listed quite a few on this blog. Some are just standard mops for hard flooring surfaces, almost all are safe for hardwood floors. Others come with attachments that can be used on bathroom and kitchen fixtures, carpeting and beds. I do have to admit that I steam the mattresses in my house at least once per month. The steam action will eliminate bacteria, larva and BED BUGS!!! The new disease causing organism that is going ramped lately. The nice thing about steamer mops, other than the sanitizing aspect, is they dry the surface as they clean. You want to eliminate mold in your shower, look into a steamer mop with attachments.
Check out some of the products I have talked about, try them and give me your opinion on them. I will soon be posting a blog dedicated to completely "
green" products. Until then.......
