WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Do not let a stomach virus damper your summer fun and spoil your vacation. Families can protect themselves by engaging in proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections.
A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported on the possible transmission of a highly infectious norovirus among crewmembers and passengers aboard an overseas flight. Crewmembers and some passengers reported gastroenteritis during the flight and over a period of up to three days following the flight. Symptoms were typical of norovirus, and subsequent analysis confirmed this was the cause. Noroviruses are highly contagious and commonly spread by contact, especially in closed settings. The JAMA study noted that the illness appeared in those passengers who used the same airline bathrooms as the infected crewmembers.
Use of proper hand hygiene, including handwashing or alcohol-based hand hygiene products, can significantly reduce the transmission of gastrointestinal illnesses, states Sue Sebazco, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Frequent and thorough hand hygiene, either with soap and water or an alcohol-based product, is critical to prevent and control many types of infections. Be sure to take time to clean your hands following the use of restrooms, prior to and immediately following meals, and after coughing or sneezing.
Source: APIC
Clean Hospitals Corner With Alexandra Peters, PhD: The Issues Around Outsourcing
November 7th 2024Outsourcing environmental hygiene in health care facilities offers cost benefits but often compromises quality. Effective oversight, training, and standards are essential for ensuring patient safety.
Strengthening Defenses: Integrating Infection Control With Antimicrobial Stewardship
October 11th 2024Use this handout to explain the basics of why infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship are essential and how the 2 fields must have a unified approach to patient and staff safety