Diarrheal infections

Good personal hygiene is very important. Following these tips will prevent the spread of disease to other people.

Hand washing is the single most important way to stop the spread of disease. Germs cannot be seen with the naked eye. Hands may look clean, but can still be contaminated. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds. Scrub until there’s a good lather, then rinse and dry.

Hands should be washed

• after using the toilet
• before and after preparing food
• before eating
• before and after diapering children
• after handling soiled diapers, undergarments, towels, face cloths and bedding
• after handling pet feces (litter box, cages)
• after handling pets and livestock

Cleaning is important

• Wash and disinfect all bathroom fixtures frequently, including water faucets, flush lever and toilet seats.
• Dishes and eating utensils should be sanitized.
• Household bleach is a good sanitizer. Wash and rinse dishes as you normally would. Then soak the dishes in clean, warm water with bleach. Bleach should be added at 1/4 cup of bleach to every 1 gallon of water. Let the dishes soak for one minute in this solution and leave them to air dry.
• Handle laundry with care, especially soiled bedding, underclothing and towels that have been used by an infected person. This is very important if the individual is a child in diapers or an incontinent adult. Avoid shaking the laundry, because this might spread germs into the environment.
• If you are employed as a health care worker, food handler or work with children, stay at home until you don’t have any symptoms for 24 hours.

For more information, give us a call at 705.522.9200 or toll-free at 1.866.522.9200.

Yes, Public Health posts information online for outbreaks related to respiratory and enteric diseases when there are no personal privacy concerns related to the situation.