Cold & Flu Season Approaching!

One of our favorite disinfectants

Cold and flu season is headed our direction again which brings us back to the annual subject of how to prevent the spread of illnesses to ourselves, our family and our co-workers.

Last year the big scare was about the H1N1 virus, and in response to that concern a few of our clients wanted us to step up our disinfecting procedures at their buildings.  In reality, however, disinfecting once or twice a week on high exposure areas has a minimal effect on surface germs, and no effect at all on germs that are airborne.  Even if a janitor disinfects frequently touched areas like doorknobs, light switches, water faucets, door jams, individual desks, phones, etc…, one touch by someone carrying germs on their hands or coughing and sneezing on the surface will simply reinfect that area with new germs the next day.  Since most businesses only have a cleaning service come around once a day at the most, and sometimes only once a week, there is really very little the cleaning crew can do to prevent the spread of germs in office areas when disinfecting.  If a client wants their building disinfected effectively, most of the effort should be made by the people who are in the building throughout the day.  We recommend that our clients establish their own daily disinfecting program during the winter to minimize the spread of germs and viruses.  Here are the most common guidelines for minimizing exposure at work and home: 

• Get a seasonal flu shot.  It may not prevent you from getting the seasonal flu, but if you do get vaccinated it may be much milder.  The H1N1 vaccine is a separate vaccine than the seasonal one.
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds with an antimicrobial soap, then rinse and dry with a clean towel. Remind those around you to do the same.  Studies show that people who wash their hands properly and frequently do have less flues and colds.
• Be more conscious about touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.   That’s the primary source for getting sick.    
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, faucets, phones, keyboards, TV/Video remotes, cupboard knobs, refrigerator handles, toys, etc…   There are plenty of disinfectants on the market to choose from.  Use them as directed.
• The most natural way to combat germs and viruses is to strengthen your immune system by taking care of your health.  Proper nutrition, drinking plenty of water, exercising, getting adequate sleep, and obviously not smoking, are all important for good health and immune function.  Once again, studies show that people who practice these good health habits have higher immunity to colds, flues and other diseases. 
• Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with you for times when you cannot wash at a sink.   Make sure it’s an alcohol based sanitizer.
• When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Wash your hands afterwards.
• If you get the flu, or you have flu like symptoms, stay away from others until you have been symptom free for 24 hours.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from people who have flu-like symptoms.
• If you use a face mask to prevent yourself from spreading your cold germs to others, throw it away that evening and use a new one the next day. 
• If you or your children have the flu, wash the bed sheets with hot water. 

 Other suggestions from us here at Nash Janitorial are:

• Employees, disinfect your own phones, desks and keyboards.   Don’t depend on the janitor to care about your surfaces or your health the same way you do.  Keep a spray bottle of disinfectant on your desk and refill it from a larger container when it’s empty.  Try to avoid using single use throw away bottles or containers of wipes that end up in the landfill.
• At home, put a paper towel dispenser on the wall next to the bathroom towel for use during cold & flu season.  Encourage family members to dry their hands with paper towels, and use them with disinfectant spray to clean doorknobs, the toilet and the sink faucet.  Store the spray bottle near the sink or toilet.  Do the same in your kitchen.
• If you are already coming down with something, eat some chicken soup!  Read this article to learn why eating chicken soup to decrease cold symptoms isn’t just a myth:  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3958/is_200306/ai_n9276864/

 Another good article to read is  “Cold Remedies: What Hurts, What Doesn’t, and What Can’t Hurt” by the Mayo Institute: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-remedies/ID00036

 For a visual aid slide show check out the following: http://www.medicinenet.com/sore_throat_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Tags: Disinfecting