Don’t want to catch a cold from cleaner

[Jadefeather7]

I’m in the early weeks of pregnancy. I have a small baby to look after. My husband is really busy with work and is working around the clock. I just recovered from bronchitis about two weeks ago. My cleaner is now here and is coughing and sneezing! I’m guessing all my ‘cleaned’ surfaces will now be covered in germs :( Is there anything I can take as a preventative? I really cannot take getting sick again :(((

Just wash your hands constantly, and definitely before eating anything.

There really isn't anything else you can do.

Will do that. I’m thinking about going over everything with a disinfectant wipe

I really feel for you, I am now on my third cold this month, I’ve had tonsillitis twice back to back.

Open a window quickly! Maybe go for a walk, don’t be in the same room, and give everything a wipe down!

Take first defence spray. It's ok with pregnancy as isn't a medicine that gets into your bloodstream, it just coats your nose so if any bugs get in they can't 'stick'. I find that it really stops me getting a cold (even when toddler comes back from nursery with snot pouring out of her) or of I do get one, it's just a couple of days of feeling a bit yuk rather than a week.

Also wash your hands loads, try not to touch your face, you could always go over light switches, door handles etc with a solution containing bleach

get out for a walk, the virus is airborne too! and get some of that self defense stuff and then wipe the surfaces after she leaves. That being said, she's already there, unlikely you can make a difference now .
These things come up all the time on MN...most people agree it's unreasonable for someone to stay away from work just because of a cold.

Send her home until she has recovered from her cold.

Dettol do an aerosol disinfectant spray which I use to mist taps, Loo flushes, bannisters, door handles, light switches etc if we have a vomiting bug in the house. We have always managed to limit vomit bugs to just one person but I don’t know whether the Dettol helps as I do go nuts for the handwashing too!

Lol at the comments of 'send her home'. If she doesn't work, she doesn't get paid. If you're that bothered, get her a face mask.
Ridiculous to blame it on the cleaner, you can catch a cold from anything and anywhere that has been in contact.

Can you go out? Lots of fresh air. Then I second first defence spray. That’s just seen off a cold that DS brought home.

After being out for a few hours. I would re-wipe down surfaces. I feel your pain. I’ve had a chest infection then a cold and only been well for a few days. It’s awful being ill for ages.

I feel so sick, I haven’t been able to go out for days. I went out earlier today and I started to feel dizzy and tired after 5 mins. I have some old first defence spray. Will need to check if it’s still useable.

You could send her home but still pay her.

I think sending her home but paying her would be reasonable if this happens again.

Vitamin D is supposed to help to prevent colds and to shorten the length of any that you do catch.

Also a quick dettol wipe of surfaces and handles and opening windows would be a good idea.

I second the suggestion of First Defence if you get the slightest symptom of coming down with a cold. It is a miracle drug and has saved me from countless colds. I always have some at home now.

Can you take Echinacea? I find it works brilliantly at the first sign of a sneeze.

I second Echinacea.

If you use products designed to kill bacteria and viruses (e.g. disinfectant), you will also kill your beneficial microorganisms, which may make you more prone to illness, not less.

I'd focus on eating well (you can track micronutrient intake on the Cronometer website) including eating plenty of fibre to feed your gut bacteria.