Disability Resource Directory

Avoid Infection By Maintaining a Healthy Home

With some easy adjustments to your regular home routine, you can cut down on the infectious germs that cause such illnesses as the cold, flu, allergies and even gastrointestinal issues. There is no need to invest in too many antibacterial products

With some easy adjustments to your regular home routine, you can cut down on the infectious germs that cause such illnesses as the cold, flu, allergies and even gastrointestinal issues. There is no need to invest in too many antibacterial products as they can be counterproductive. Instead, regular disinfectants and soap and water work wonders. Here are some other ways to avoid infection inside the home:

1. Cut down on allergens like mold, pollen and dust by investing in a HEPA filter for your central air and heating. Don't forget to replace your air conditioning filter about once a month as well.
   
2. If you are trying to avoid allergens like dust, pollen and mold, avoid using fans as they stir things up in the air you breathe. Also, stick to air conditioning rather than opening windows.
   
3. When the home is humid, invest in a dehumidifier to keep the humidity levels under 50%. This will prevent mold from growing and releasing spores in the home.
   
4. Get rid of carpeting as they harbor dust as well as a number of microorganisms both harmful and benign. Ditch Venetian blinds as they are dust catchers as well. Instead look to hard wood or laminate flooring and simple window shades for the windows.
   
5. Keep the shower and bathtub areas clean of mold. If you spray a mold killer after every shower or bath, you would not have to clean as often. Just remember to rinse the tub out before bathing!
   
6. Always wash your hands before handling food products. In addition, if you are handling raw meat, wash your hands before doing any other activity such as handling plates or touching vegetables. Also, wash your work area to ensure that harmful bacteria like salmonella will not contaminate your food.
   

7.  Wash your bedding in hot soapy water because this will kill any harboring germs in your sheets and pillow cases.

8. Use a clothes dryer or hang your clothes inside to dry. When you hang clothes outside, pollen and other allergens from outdoors becomes trapped in the fibers causing you to have potential allergy attacks.

9.  Airborne germs are quite easy to contract. Therefore, always watch the weather channel for forecasts that are the perfect stage for allergens and other germs to be plentiful. Hot, windy days are the absolute worst.

10.  Many bugs harbor germs and can transmit diseases. Therefore, you should always wear protective clothing and use an insect repellant to avoid getting bitten or stung.

There are countless measures in the home you can take to avoid infections. However, always remember that there are some good bacteria too so try and be cognizant that antibacterial products will not necessarily be the best cleaning solution for you. Practicing the handy tips above will help you stay healthy but not totally free you from the germ exposure you need to develop a better immune system.

Latest Infection Control News

07/20/2008
Baby boomer gum disease is nothing to smile about (Detroit Free Press)
Poor dental health in baby boomers can mean more than an unattractive smile. It can cause periodontal disease, a serious oral infection that in turn can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes and a host of other serious illnesses.

Baby boomer gum disease is nothing to smile about (Detroit Free Press)

07/19/2008
Autism parents 'infection risk' (BBC News)
Caring for children with problems such as autism or Down's syndrome may weaken parents' immune systems.

Autism parents 'infection risk' (BBC News)

07/17/2008
TB hospital out of control (Daily Dispatch)
A FORT Grey staff member has blown the whistle on conditions at the TB hospital, saying severe staff shortages, flawed isolation procedures and lack of infection control were crippling the facility.

TB hospital out of control (Daily Dispatch)

07/18/2008
U.S. cancels trial of AIDS vaccine (The Charlotte Observer)
Plans for a large human trial of a vaccine against the AIDS virus in the U.S. were canceled Thursday because federal health officials said the vaccine was unlikely to prove effective and might increase the risk of HIV infection among volunteers. The decision is another major setback in efforts to develop an HIV vaccine, which health officials contend would be their best weapon to control the ...

U.S. cancels trial of AIDS vaccine (The Charlotte Observer)

07/19/2008
Medicare Change Sheds Light On New Infection Precaution Measures (Medical News Today)
As part of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Rule-1553-P, effective October 1, 2008, Medicare will no longer pay for eight conditions that can be acquired by patients during hospital stays that could have been reasonably prevented by following evidence based guidelines.

Medicare Change Sheds Light On New Infection Precaution Measures (Medical News Today)

07/20/2008
Baby boomer gum disease is nothing to smile about (Detroit Free Press)
Poor dental health in baby boomers can mean more than an unattractive smile. It can cause periodontal disease, a serious oral infection that in turn can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes and a host of other serious illnesses.

Baby boomer gum disease is nothing to smile about (Detroit Free Press)