Blog, Medical and healthcare
Norovirus: soap and water instead of gels advises CDC
Jan
Infection Control Today draws attention to handwashing guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued handwashing guidance for outbreaks of norovirus – and frequent and effective washing with soap and water is preferable to using any kind of gels, reports the Infection Control Today website.
Norovirus is particularly virulent during the winter months and this season has been a difficult one in terms of the numbers of outbreaks. There is no vaccine available for the disease, advises the article, so it is vital that people learn how to minimise the risk by following what are described as “a few simple steps”.
People who develop norovirus are highly contagious from the moment they begin to feel ill, up to the first few days after they start the recovery process.
Practice proper hand hygiene
Washing with soap and water is by far and away the preferred method of infection control when it comes to norovirus, advises Infection Control Today and the CDC.
“Practice proper hand hygiene. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating or preparing food. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
“These alcohol-based products can help reduce the number of germs on your hands, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water.”
CDC Offers Tips on Preventing the Spread of Norovirus »
Hot water hand wash hire for UK medical situations
Introducing the TEAL Hygenius MediWash
On view at a number of forthcoming exhibitions will be TEAL’s market leading portable hand wash station – the Hygienius MediWash (pictured above), which enable healthcare professionals and patients to access a high quality hot water hand wash wherever and whenever it’s needed!
You can also hire hand wash units for use during norovirus outbreaks.
The TEAL Task Force
TEAL Task Force staff provide a rapid deployment and installation service for class-leading portable hand washing stations to medical facilities.
Setup and training is provided for on-site staff as part of the service.