HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF GERMS
Germs are everywhere. They are in the trash can on the pile of used tissues, on the toilet in your workplace bathroom, and on the lunch counter someone failed to clean properly. Your child may have been exposed to germs from a classmate’s sneeze. You can bet that germs are on your cell phone. A study by the University of Arizona showed that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
Bacteria and viruses comprise the germs that can cause disease in humans. The common cold, flu, food poisoning, Hepatitis A, and infections of the skin and ear are among some of the diseases that germs can cause.
A diagnostic testing service in Gainesville, GA, can trace the source of an illness that makes you sick. Germs are typically the culprit, at which point you’ll be directed to eliminate the source of the contamination and prevent the germs from returning. Here are ways to prevent the spread of germs from anywhere you may have the potential to come into contact.
Clean and Disinfect
Kitchen and bathroom surfaces are prime areas for germ contamination. Chopping boards, sinks, shower stalls, countertops, and toilets are just some of the hotspots for bacteria and viruses to multiply. You should use soap and hot water to clean these areas of germs on a regular basis, and a disinfectant to kill them. Thorough cleaning and disinfecting keep the germs from multiplying and maintains a healthy household.
The cleaning and sanitizing should extend to select personal items as well. Your cell phone, as mentioned before, could be covered in bacteria. So could your computer and other personal electronics, your child’s lunchbox, and the bag you carry your workout clothes in when you go to the gym that isn’t as thoroughly cleaned. You’ll want to clean and sanitize these items with antibacterial wipes to prevent germs from contaminating them.
Wash and Sanitize Hands
Health experts say the best approach to prevent the spread of germs is washing your hands. Germs can spread from when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a contaminated surface or object, or if you have been close to a sick person. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds and rinsing them well prevents you from spreading germs you may have come into contact with to another person. Afterward, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol to get rid of any remaining germs.
Take a Sick Day
You may have been exposed to germs yet know of no signs of illness. Or, you may feel under the weather yet still go to work or school. Doing this is just another way to spread germs to others through coughing, sneezing, or contaminating public surfaces. If you feel ill, it’s best to take a sick day and stay home to recover.
Addressing symptoms early can minimize the severity and longevity of your illness. If symptoms persist and are untreated, you may become seriously ill and need an urgent care for bronchitis treatment, sinus infection treatment, or other medical attention. Lanier Urgent Care can help you figure out what’s making your sick. This urgent care facility has a diagnostic testing center in Gainesville, GA, that delivers quick turnaround times on most lab requests. Call Lanier Urgent Care today at 770-824-4610.
