The Wuhan pneumonia or 2019 novel coronavirus has dramatically increased from yesterday to today.
Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
The following measures to contain respiratory secretions are recommended for all individuals with signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Use in the nearest waste receptacle to dispose of the tissue after use;
- Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
- Ensure that supplies for hand washing (i.e., soap, disposable towels) are consistently available.
If You Are Sick
- Clean hands frequently, especially after coughing and sneezing.
- Keep the room door closed at all times.
- Leave your room only when necessary, and wear a mask when you do.
- Limit visitors to a few family members and friends who have immunity to your illness.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wear a mask if you have a cough
- Avoid sharing household items
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
For Visitors to the Sick
Clean hands when entering and exiting the patient’s room.
What to Use for Handwashing
Household Soap
- Have a minimal anti-microbial property.
- If the hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materials. Wash with soap and water first.
- Wash your hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Sing and finish the nursery song, Jack and Jill. That’s about 20 seconds.
- The longer you wash your hands, the more effective it gets.
- Wash your hands as soon as you get indoors from the outside
Hospital-Level – Alcohol-Based Hand Washing
- Alcohol-based products are more effective for standard handwashing or hand antisepsis than soap or antimicrobial soaps
- Alcohol solutions containing 60%–95% alcohol are most effective, and higher concentrations are less potent
How Much Alcohol Should You Use?
Per the CDC, “if hands feel dry after rubbing hands together for 10–15 seconds, an insufficient volume of product likely was applied.”
Fire Precaution
Alcohol-based hand rubs should be stored away from high temperatures or flames
Sanitary Wipes
Viruses can live for a few hours outside the body. Use sanitary wipes in the office, telephone, doorknobs, seats, or anything you have to get in contact with.
Related Readings:
- The Proper Use of a Personal Protective Equipment Against Infections
- 10 Reasons Why the Wuhan Coronavirus Pneumonia is a Nightmare
- Walking Coronavirus Pneumonia Can Spread the Disease
- UK Epidemic Specialist: 250,000 Chinese with Coronavirus in 10 days
- Coronavirus Infection Precautions
- To Know What’s in Wuhan is to Know Why Coronavirus is a Concern
- Anti Coronavirus Herbs and Drugs
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Don’t Get Sick!
Helpful Resources from the Centers for Disease Control
- Interim Guidance for Preventing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Spreading to Others in Homes and Communities
- Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings
- Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings
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DrJesseSantiano.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
Very informative, thank you. Could you please tell us why a soap with minimal antimicrobial properties should be used?
Plain soap or antibacterial soap is useful for regular use. If there is a concern for coronavirus exposure, then a disinfectant like 60-90% alcohol should be used. If the hands are soiled, plain soap should be used first. Then, after drying, the disinfectant can be used. If not, the disinfectant will be less effective. According to a study, plain soap or antibacterial soap resulted in more bacterial contamination. That’s because the soap is already harboring bacteria before they were used.