Nurse Mary: Germs, they’re everywhere!
By: Mary A Drobnak RN, BSN, MSN
Although some of us may have already experienced the seasonal sniffle, cold, stomach virus or flu, we are actually now entering the peak months of the ‘cold and flu season’. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), February historically has had some of the highest percentages of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza virus infection and more people tend to catch the all out common cold or virus in January, February and March. Add to that the fact that during this peak time we live in highly populated Shanghai and many of us are just returning from a myriad of places travelling back trapped for hours in an inescapable germ ridden “tin can” (aka airplane).
Peak season or not, we all contribute to the problem. One way the seasonal cold and flu are spread is through respiratory droplets we emit into the air. This is done simply by talking, coughing, or sneezing without covering our mouths. People with a cold or flu can spread it to others from up to six feet away even before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after symptoms occur. Other ways we spread germs is through sharing items such as drink containers, food utensils, towels, lipstick, toys and touching other common frequently contaminated items such as door handles, remote controls, telephones, key pads, elevator buttons, toilet seats, faucets, light fixtures, shopping carts and the like (think about anything you touch!). Depending on the particular surface and virus, the suspected length of time that cold or flu germs can survive outside the body on these or other surfaces ranges from a few seconds to 48 hours. Additionally, many communicable diseases are transferred to us when we are touching our eyes, mouth or nose with unclean hands and fingers. We have significant control over many of the actions that cause the spread of germs and expose ourselves to them as well.
What to do? Over 100 years ago it was discovered by Dr Ignaz Simmelweis that hand washing was the single most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. His hand washing practices resulted in a decreased death rate and, although ignored and ridiculed at the time, Dr Simmelweis is today considered the pioneer of antiseptic procedures. Because of his discovery, hand washing is widely acknowledged today in healthcare environments, public settings, schools, day cares and eating establishments. Washing your hands with regular soap and warm water (or in the absence of water using an alcohol based hand sanitizer) throughout the day especially before and after using the toilet, touching food, eating and after sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose will significantly reduce exposure and the spread of germs.
In addition to hand washing, practicing respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and being aware of your hands by consciously avoiding touching your face, mouth and nose throughout the day is essential. Carrying waterless hand sanitizer or hand wipes to use throughout the day is another way to protect yourself against germs. Other activities that help are wiping down frequently touched surface areas around the house and office with a disinfectant, making sure the ayi uses disinfecting products and different towels for the toilet and counters and, most importantly, educating and enforcing germ fighting practices with our next generation of germ offenders, our children.
Send Nurse Mary your health questions and concerns at [email protected]
