Resources
1
Swine flu: preventing spread in the home and
community. International Scientific Forum on
Home Hygiene. April 2009. Downloaded from
http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org on July 24, Cleaning to
2009.
2
H1N1 Fact Sheet For Cleaning Professionals. Center for Reduce the Risk of
Downloaded from
Health
Hygiene & Health
http://www.cleanlink.com/cp/article/H1N1-Fact- H1N1 Flu Virus
Sheet-For-Cleaning-Professionals--10915 on
July 24, 2009.
in the Home and Community
3
At Home
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecar
e.htm. Downloaded on August 10, 2009. Swine flu is a new version of the H1N1 strain of
influenza type A. It is considered highly
4
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/n contagious and spreads from person to person
ew_virus/new_flu_virus_faq.asp. Downloaded most likely in a couple of different ways: when
on August 10, 2009. an ill person sneezes or coughs, the infected
droplets can enter another person through the
Specific information about household detergents nose, mouth, or eyes; or the droplets can land
and disinfectants can be obtained from the IFH on a contact surface (e.g. a doorknob) that is
document: http://www.ifh- then touched by another person who then puts
1
homehygiene.org/IntegratedCRD.nsf/6de8f3a205ad his/her hand up to their face. Because swine
765a8025754b00090a07/6d5344548d5863fd80257 flu is a new version of the virus, most people do
not have immunity and may become ill or even
5490042607e?OpenDocument.
die.
A new H1N1 flu vaccine is currently being
Updates on swine flu are regularly posted on tested and should be available in Fall ’09,
the Centers for Disease Control website although the initial supply of the vaccine may be
(www.cdc.gov). limited for the general population.
This brochure will review the current
recommendations to clean your home to reduce
contamination in the event of an outbreak of H1N1
or seasonal flu.
Simmons College
300 The Fenway
August 2009
Boston, MA 02115
www.simmons.edu/hygieneandhealth
• The sick person should have a separate N95 respirators are recommended by the
Preventing H1N1 from bedroom and bathroom, if possible, and CDC.
Entering the Home keep the door closed. • Clean surfaces that are touched by the
• If ill with H1N1, wear a facemask when hands or face frequently: light switches,
Simple hygiene precautions can be taken to
sharing common spaces with other remote controls, doorknobs, telephones,
help prevent anyone in your household from
household members, especially if there are faucet handles, keyboards.
becoming ill with H1N1 influenza:
• vulnerable persons at home: e.g. pregnant • Clean all toys handled by an ill child. Most
Wash hands frequently with soap and
women, infants, elderly people. soft toys can be laundered and many
water, especially when returning home
• Designate a well person to prepare meals plastic toys can be cleaned in the
from a public area: work, school, grocery
for the family. dishwasher. Check the label for cleaning
store, restaurant, library, etc. For proper
hand washing technique, consult the • If sick, wash your hands before touching instructions.
common-use objects: remote controls, light • Place an alcohol-based hand sanitizer near
brochure Proper Hand Washing.
• switches, doorknobs. every sink.
If soap and water are not available, use a
• Perform any respiratory treatments (such • Use paper towels to dry hands, or designate a
hand sanitizer containing at least 62%
as nebulizer treatments) in the sick room separate cloth towel for each person (use
alcohol. 3
• with the door closed. different colored towels).
Anyone who has been in contact with a
• Clean and disinfect the bathroom used by the
sick person should change clothing and 3
sick person daily.
wash their hands once home. Cleaning Guidelines • Provide good ventilation in common areas (e.g.
The H1N1 flu virus is effectively killed by bleach- by opening windows.)
3
based products or EPA registered disinfectants or • Dirty dishes and utensils can all be cleaned
cleaning/disinfectant products with demonstrated together (preferably in the dishwasher where
(proven) viral kill claims against flu viruses. heat will disinfect), but should never be shared
However, flu viruses, including H1N1, can survive if soiled.
3
8-12 hours on paper or cloth, 24-48 hours on • Linen and clothes for the ill person can be
nonporous surfaces like doorknobs or desks, and washed with the other laundry. Dry the
2
up to 72 hours on wet surfaces such as towels; bedsheets and towels on the hot setting and
therefore careful cleaning and disinfection is 3
Preventing H1N1 Cross recommended:
•
wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
If you use a cleaning service, inform them of the
• Clean any soiled surface with detergent and
contamination water before applying a disinfectant or apply a
illness in the household. Preferably, avoid
From the H1N1 outbreak in the Spring, the contaminating others by cleaning the home
combined disinfectant-cleaning product. yourself.
CDC has concluded that otherwise healthy • Consult the disinfectant label for effectiveness
individuals who had been ill may return to work against influenza viruses. If unsure, prepare a
or school after 24 hours with no fever or signs
of a fever when not taking fever-reducing
solution of 1 part household bleach for 10 parts Final Notes
3 water. Some bleach or other cleaning products No H1N1 swine flu cases have been reported in
medication. However, because the symptoms (e.g. in spray form) may not require dilution and household pets. However, the virus may mutate
of H1N1 are similar to any other flu illness, can be used “neat”. Regardless, always check and become infectious to certain animals.
anyone with H1N1 or flu-like symptoms should the product’s label for use, dilution instructions, Therefore it is best to keep pets away from sick
prevent contamination of the home and and cautions.
1
household members and
household members while recovering: • Wear appropriate protective equipment: wash your hands before
• Sneeze or cough into a disposable tissue 2
gloves and splash protection (a face mask and after handling pets.
4
and discard it immediately in a to prevent droplets containing flu virus from Also, remember to clean
wastebasket. In the absence of a tissue, entering the eyes, nose, or mouth) when and disinfect car interiors
sneeze or cough into your elbow, not your cleaning the sick room. Face masks that sick family members
hands. approved by FDA as “medical devices” or have used.