PREV POST
Habits to Take Home Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cross Infections
Bacteria and viruses can be found all around and it is difficult to trace, and an infected person may be carrying these pathogens without showing any symptoms while spreading to other people. This is because pathogens that have intruded into a person may take days to multiple before the victim shows any signs of illness, this gives ample time and opportunity for them to spread to unsuspecting people around. A lot of cross infections occur with human activity and among the most common places to catch an infection include the workplace, public areas, and even at home. There are many ways that we can reduce the risk of catching an infection and conscious effort must be taken to tackle these threats effectively.
Infections are easily spread from person to person but there are also numerous other ways that it can spread too. Many pathogens can be airborne and be carried from outdoors to indoors and vice-versa. This means that being indoors at home does not mean that we are safe from these harmful infections such as influenza, which causes thousands of deaths annually. When we cough or sneeze, millions of germs are expelled from our body and into the air, setting these germs airborne. Therefore, we should do our part by sneezing or coughing into a tissue and to wear a surgical mask if we are under the weather. Another way that infections can spread is by touching objects or consuming food that are contaminated. It is difficult to avoid touching objects in common areas such as doorknobs, switches, and elevator buttons. So, we should pick up the good habit of not touching surfaces unnecessarily and to wash our hands with soap frequently. At times and places where it is inconvenient to wash our hands, be sure to carry and use a hand sanitizer to minimize the risk from airborne pathogens and those on surfaces.
Most of us meet colleagues and new acquaintances daily where we extend the warm gesture of greeting in the form of a handshake. The hand is the place where bacteria and viruses transit because we contract it from a surface and send them off to another person through skin to skin contact, as our palms are moist with sweat, it is also a breeding ground for germs. Other ways that pathogens can be transmitted include through the sharing of personal items like clothing, towels, and toiletries. In order to reduce the risk of infections from skin to skin contact, we must maintain good personal hygiene.
Bodily fluids are a direct way that a person can get infected with all kinds or viruses, some may cause minor sicknesses, while some may prove to be severe with life-threatening consequences. This method of infection occurs when fluids from a person’s blood, saliva, urine, and faeces come into contact and is passed to another person’s body through cuts. Therefore, it is very important that we use a waterproof plaster to protect our skin if there are any open wounds. We must also be careful not to be contaminated by a sick or wounded person, so be sure to wear a mask and gloves if we are attending to someone who is injured or sick.
Whether it is at the workplace or at home, we must ensure that proper preparation against infections are done. Effort to keep the surroundings clean and sanitized is very important, be sure to handle food and raw meat hygienically when preparing food, have a first-aid kit available and within easy reach because accidents can happen. Another preparation against infections that goes without saying is our own personal hygiene.
Instead of using chemicals to kill bacteria and viruses, more and more people are now turning to active oxygen as a natural and effective method in tackling infections. Created naturally in forests and the oceans, active oxygen is made up of ozone and negative ions which allows it to oxidise harmful pathogens in the air and on surfaces. Medklinn’s active oxygen, which is dispersed into the air from a handy device, kills 99.9% of all bacteria, viruses, mould, and allergens. Medklinn’s range of devices are suitable for home and mobile use, they are available for purchase and rent starting at only RM13 a month. Tackling infections is crucial to protect ourselves and family from harm’s way, doing so with Medklinn will make it so much easier.