CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE and NOVO-VIRUS are present in faeces and your claener ill contaminate yoyur worktops with it
Most likely transmitted Via the oral-faecal route mmmmmmm nice
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE
C. difficile presents as an antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and colitis and is a healthcare associated intestinal infection mostly affecting elderly people with other underlying diseases. The infection produces spores which can survive for a long time in the environment eg your worktops
It can cause diarrhoea, from mild disturbance to a very severe illness with ulceration and bleeding from the colon, and can be fatal. It can usually only become this severe when the normal, healthy bacteria has been killed off by antibiotics, without the ?good? bacteria to keep it in check it multiplies and produces toxins (A and B) resulting in diarrhoea. Elderly people who have been treated with broad spectrum antibiotics are most at risk. Those who have already presented with C. difficile have a 40% chance of a relapse. There is more than one strain of the infection, but 027 is of greater concern, customers must always be referred to their GP if C. difficile is suspected, as early diagnosis and treatment is essential ? see the checklist on the next page.
Although a few people can be healthy carriers of C. difficile, it is usually spread after cross infection from one person to another, customer to customer contact, via carers or healthcare staff or via a contaminated environment. When a customer has diarrhoea, a large amount of C. difficile spores will be present in the liquid faeces and this can contaminate the general environment, bed, surfaces, keypads, door handles, toilet areas, sluices, commodes, bed pan washers etc. They can survive for a long time and be a source of hand to mouth infection for others (oral faecal route), if they have been given antibiotics, they too are at risk of C. difficile disease. The disease will be diagnosed by providing a sample of faeces.
Three components to the prevention and control of C. difficile disease:
· Prudent antibiotic prescribing by GP to reduce the use of broad spectrum antibiotics
· Isolation of customers with (C. difficile) diarrhoea and good infection control
Rigorous Handwashing (not relying upon alcohol gel, which does not kill the spores)
Wearing gloves and aprons, especially when dealing with bed pans etc
· NOROVIRUS, OTHER D&V (Diarrhoea and Vomiting) INFECTIONS AND FOOD POISONING OUTBREAKS
Norovirus is an organism that is a common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach bugs). The virus is easily transmitted by contact with an infected person: by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms will begin 12 ? 48 hours after exposure, and will last for 12 ? 60 hours. It starts with the sudden onset of nausea and then projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs. Most people make a full recovery within 1 ? 2 days, but the very young or elderly may become dehydrated and require hospital treatment.
The virus can survive in the environment for many days, and there are different strains and immunity is short-lived. Outbreaks occur more frequently in semi closed environments, such as care homes. Those infected should be isolated for 48 hours after symptoms have ceased, this will apply to staff as well as customers. (Food handlers should avoid contact for 2 (48 hours) days after symptoms have ceased).
Disinfection of the contaminated areas are advised, with chlorine based disinfectant and also the use of steam cleaners. Full guidance is available from the Department of Health Infection Control Guidance for Care
It cannot be stressed strongly enough of the importance of Universal Precautions ? rigorous handwashing with liquid soap and running water, followed by thorough drying of the hands, alcohol gel has its place but it is not effective against Norovirus or C. difficile and some other diseases and should never be used instead of thorough handwashing. Wash hands before and after contact, and ensure Personal Protective Equipment is worn and discarded before and after each contact (gloves, aprons etc).