Protecting employees from exposure to viruses that result in infectious diseases, including the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19, and controlling their spread can be achieved by following established health safety guidelines. The following are control strategies and prevention methods to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
What is an infectious disease?
Pathogenic microorganisms have the potential of causing infectious diseases. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are examples of pathogenic microorganisms. Most of these microorganisms do not pose a threat to human health, but a few can cause illnesses that range from mild to deadly.
Infectious diseases spread from person to person, either directly or indirectly. Respiratory droplets emitted through coughing and sneezing, for example, may infect people with the novel coronavirus responsible for causing Covid-19. Other infectious diseases may also spread through animal bites or by ingesting contaminated food or water.
What are examples of infectious diseases?
Viruses cause mild instances of the common cold. Complex diseases also develop from viruses, including pneumonia, smallpox, Covid-19 and HIV/AIDS. Bacterial infections, like skin rashes, strep throat and tuberculosis area cause by bacteria. Fungal infections, like ringworm, result from any of the various 300 types of infection-causing fungi.
Can infectious diseases be prevented?
Vaccines can be effective in preventing some infectious diseases. Getting a vaccine prevents common infectious diseases, like hepatitis, diphtheria, herpes zoster and influenza. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers updated recommendations for the vaccination of children, adolescents and adults.
People who travel overseas are urged to consult a travel clinic to ensure they remain protected against contracting an infectious disease. Research is constantly ongoing to examine new pathogens. Additionally, new platforms for the delivery of vaccinations are continually being developed.
How important is hand hygiene in disease prevention?
Adults and children are advised to engage in practical steps to reduce their risk of contracting an infectious disease. Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is known to stop the spread of some viruses, like the novel coronavirus.
Washing one’s hands is especially important after individuals have frequented public places. People should be careful to wash their hands after coughing, sneezing into them or blowing their noses. Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is an effective alternative if soap and water are unavailable.
Touching surfaces contaminated by the coronavirus can introduce the virus into the person’s respiratory system. For this reason, it is strongly urged that people refrain from touching their nose, eyes and face. Frequent handwashing, as mentioned, is effective in disabling the virus.
Is social distancing effective in disease prevention?
Some viruses, like the novel coronavirus, are spread via person-to-person contact. For this reason, it is advised that people maintain at least a six-foot distance from those who are sick. Keeping sufficient physical distance is critical for individuals who have a higher risk for becoming ill.
Keep in mind that people may be infected with the novel coronavirus and show no symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals can readily spread the virus. The CDC recommends that effective prevention methods include wearing a face cover in public to prevent others from getting sick.
Sharing personal items with people who are infected should be avoided to prevent contracting an infectious disease. Similarly, people are advised against drinking beverages or eating food prepared by individuals who show signs of illness. Also, do not drink from contaminated water supplies.
What are infectious disease control strategies?
An individual who shows signs of an infectious disease, like Covid-19, should be immediately isolated. An employee, for instance, who is symptomatic, should be moved away from other workers, visitors and customers. Provide the sick person with a face mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Employers should carefully evaluate whether or not the areas in which an infected individual had worked should undergo decontamination. The transmissibility of the novel coronavirus via surfaces is still not yet fully understood, making decontamination an option for non-healthcare facilities.
Effective methods to control the spread of infectious diseases also include cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects. Doorknobs, faucet handles, countertops and light switches are examples of everyday items that should undergo thorough and frequent cleaning and disinfecting.
Technology, too, should be wiped down with EPA-registered disinfectants to prevent individuals from being exposed to viruses, including the novel coronavirus. Phones, keyboards, tablets and touch screens should be disinfected often. Prevent the disinfectant from pooling and causing damage to electronics.
Commercial Disinfection Services
The spread of infectious diseases can be curbed in workplaces by having the spaces professionally cleaned and disinfected. Commercial cleaning service crews are trained and experienced in properly cleaning and disinfecting work environments where virus outbreaks are suspected to have occurred.
ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning is a reputable disinfecting and cleaning company. Our team of skilled technicians are trained to eliminate all traces of bacteria and viruses, including the novel coronavirus. We will thoroughly clean, disinfect and, thereby, protect your commercial property.
- CDC Recommended Cleaning & Disinfection by trained Infection Control Technicians.
- Employees were required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their protection and yours protection.
- Botanical Disinfectant products on the CDC/EPA List N. Effective and safe for most surfaces.
- Emergency & scheduled services available.
ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning technicians use powerful and safe cleaning solutions and disinfectants to clean and sanitize all areas in the professional workspace. The EPA-registered cleaning and disinfecting products we use kill various germs and the virus that causes Covid-19.
Our specialists treat the air spaces in the commercial building using advanced equipment so that all airborne viral particles are neutralized. While the novel coronavirus is not yet known to be an airborne virus, our technicians take this step as a precautionary measure.
All high touch points in the commercial property will be disinfected by focused crews. Phones, light switches, bathroom fixtures, countertops, computers, keyboards and door handles are among the areas we fully disinfect. Technicians also decontaminate the space by fogging the building.
ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning has years of experience in cleaning and disinfecting various commercial properties, from schools to offices to gyms, in the communities surrounding Houston, Texas. Prevent and control infectious diseases in your workplace, call ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning now!
