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Infection Control In The Home Research Paper

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Infection Control in the Home If you have an infection or are taking care of someone who has an infection, it is important to know how to keep the infection from spreading. Follow these guidelines and talk to your health care provider. HOW ARE INFECTIONS SPREAD? In order for an infection to spread, the following must be present: • A germ. This may be a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite. • A place for the germ to live. This may be on a person, animal, plant, food, soil, water, or on surfaces, like a door handle. • A susceptible host. This is a person or animal who does not have resistance (immunity) to the germ. • A way for the germ to enter the host. This may occur by: ○ Direct contact. This may happen by making contact, …show more content…

This is when the germ enters the host through contact with an object, such as eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching a contaminated surface. ○ Breathing in of tiny dust particles that travel long distances in the air. HOW CAN I HELP PREVENT INFECTION FROM SPREADING? • Everyone must wash hands before handling or eating food, and after using the toilet, changing a diaper, touching pets, money, uncooked food, coughing, sneezing, blowing nose, touching nose, eyes or mouth. • Caregivers must wash hands before and after giving care: cleaning wounds or carrying for catheters, changing bandages or handling soiled linens, and giving mouth care or cleaning private parts. • Wash hands properly - use lots of warm, running water and soap to lather hands and wrist. Scrub for at least 15 seconds including under the fingernails. • Rinse well with hands pointing down to allow germs to flow into sink. Dry with clean paper or cloth towel. Use lotion for dry skin. • Stock up on cleaning supplies: disinfectants, separate sponges for bathroom and kitchen, paper towels, utility gloves (replace when cracked, torn or start to peel). • Use bleach safely - never mix with other cleaning …show more content…

Do not use your clothing or a soiled towel to dry your hands. ○ If you are in a public restroom, use your towel to turn off the water faucet and open the bathroom door. Taking care of your home • Make sure you have enough cleaning supplies at all times. This includes: ○ Disinfectants. ○ Sponges. Use a separate sponge for your bathroom and your kitchen. ○ Paper towels. ○ Utility gloves. Replace your gloves if they are cracked, torn, or start to peel. • Use bleach safely. Never mix it with other cleaning products. • Take care of your cleaning supplies. Toilet brushes, mops, and sponges can breed germs. Soak them in bleach and water for 5 minutes after each use. • Do not pour used mop water down the sink. Pour it down the toilet instead. • Maintain proper ventilation in your home. • If you have a pet, ensure that your pet stays clean. Do not let people with weak immune stems touch bird droppings, fish tank water, or a litter box. ○ If you have a cat, make sure the litter is changed daily. • In the bathroom, make sure you: ○ Provide liquid soap. Bar soap can become a home for

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