Cleaning After Hand Foot and Mouth Disease [VIDEO]

Did you know that hand, foot, and mouth disease can linger on surfaces for days, making proper cleaning and disinfection crucial to preventing its spread?

Cleaning and Disinfection After Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral illness that primarily affects young children.

Characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet, HFMD spreads easily through close contact with an infected person, as well as through contaminated surfaces.

Given the ease with which HFMD can be transmitted, particularly in environments like schools, childcare centers, and healthcare facilities, effective cleaning and disinfection practices are critical in preventing the spread of this disease.

Proper hand hygiene and the disinfection of frequently touched surfaces play a vital role in controlling the transmission of HFMD.

This is especially important in settings where children are in close proximity to one another, as well as in healthcare environments where the risk of infection is higher.

Implementing rigorous cleaning protocols can help to significantly reduce the spread of HFMD, protecting both children and adults from this uncomfortable and potentially serious illness.

 

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Here’s how to effectively implement hand hygiene practices to reduce the risk of transmission:

Key Handwashing Practices:

When to Wash Hands:

• Before eating or preparing food.
• After using the restroom.
• After changing diapers or assisting a child with the restroom.
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• After touching surfaces that may be contaminated (e.g., doorknobs, toys).

How to Wash Hands Properly:

1. Wet hands with clean, running water.
2. Apply soap and lather by rubbing hands together, covering all surfaces.
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" twice as a timer).
4. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Using Hand Sanitizers:

When to Use:

• If soap and water are not available.
• After touching public surfaces or shared items.

How to Use:

• Apply a generous amount of sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) to the palm.
• Rub hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers.
• Continue rubbing until hands are dry.

Additional Tips:

Encourage Hand Hygiene:

• Provide easy access to handwashing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers.
• Educate children and staff on the importance of regular hand hygiene.
• Use visual aids, such as posters, to remind everyone of proper handwashing techniques.

By consistently following these hand hygiene practices, the spread of HFMD can be significantly reduced, ensuring a safer environment for children and adults alike.

 

Disinfection of Surfaces

Effective disinfection of surfaces is critical in preventing the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially in environments frequented by young children.

Viruses that cause HFMD can survive on surfaces for extended periods, making thorough cleaning and disinfection practices essential.

High-Touch Surfaces to Disinfect Regularly:

Common Areas:

• Doorknobs and handles
• Light switches
• Table and countertops
• Computer keyboards and mice

Children’s Areas:

• Toys and play equipment
• Cribs and bedding
• Shared learning tools (e.g., books, pencils)
• Classroom desks and chairs

Choosing the Right Disinfectant:

Effective Disinfectants:

• Chlorine-based products: Highly effective in killing viruses.
• Alcohol-based cleaners: Useful for quick disinfection of small areas.
• Hydrogen peroxide: A good option for sensitive surfaces.

Less Effective Disinfectants:

• Mild soaps and Dettol®: These may not be strong enough to eliminate the HFMD virus effectively.

How to Disinfect Surfaces Properly:

1. Clean the Surface: Remove visible dirt and debris with soap and water before disinfecting.
2. Apply Disinfectant: Use a disinfectant suitable for the surface material. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application.
3. Allow Proper Contact Time: Ensure the disinfectant remains on the surface for the recommended time to kill the virus effectively (usually 3-10 minutes).
4. Rinse (if needed): Some disinfectants may require rinsing with water after use, especially on food-contact surfaces.
5. Dry Surfaces: Allow surfaces to air dry or use a clean cloth to prevent recontamination.

Additional Tips:

Frequency of Disinfection:

• Increase cleaning frequency during outbreaks or in high-traffic areas.
• Disinfect surfaces daily in schools, childcare centers, and healthcare settings.

Safety Measures:

• Use gloves when handling disinfectants.
• Ensure proper ventilation during and after disinfection to avoid inhaling fumes.

By regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces with effective cleaning agents and following proper techniques, the spread of HFMD can be significantly minimized, creating a safer environment for children and adults.

 

Isolation and Disinfection in Medical Settings

In healthcare environments, where the risk of spreading hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is elevated, implementing strict isolation and disinfection protocols is essential to control and prevent outbreaks.

Here’s how to ensure effective isolation and disinfection practices in medical settings:

Isolation Protocols:

Isolate Infected Patients:

• Place HFMD patients in separate rooms or designated isolation wards.
• Limit patient movement within the facility to reduce cross-contamination.

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Ensure healthcare workers wear appropriate PPE (gloves, gowns, masks) when treating HFMD patients.
• Dispose of PPE properly after each use to prevent the spread of the virus.

Visitor Restrictions:

• Limit visits to HFMD patients to essential personnel only.
• Educate visitors on hand hygiene and PPE usage when necessary.

Disinfection Protocols:

Room Disinfection:

• Disinfect patient rooms regularly, focusing on high-touch areas (bed rails, call buttons, medical equipment).
• Use hospital-grade disinfectants proven effective against viruses.

Equipment Disinfection:

• Clean and disinfect medical equipment after each use.
• Pay special attention to items frequently used by multiple patients, such as stethoscopes, thermometers, and blood pressure cuffs.

Laundry and Waste Management:

• Handle contaminated linens and waste with care. Use gloves and avoid shaking items to prevent aerosolization of the virus.
• Wash linens at high temperatures with appropriate detergents, and dispose of waste in biohazard bags.

Education and Training:

Staff Training:

• Regularly train healthcare workers on the latest HFMD isolation and disinfection protocols.
• Conduct drills and refresher courses to ensure adherence to protocols.

Patient and Family Education:

• Educate patients and their families on the importance of isolation and proper hygiene practices.
• Provide informational materials on how to prevent HFMD spread within the home after discharge.

Monitoring and Compliance:

Regular Audits:

• Conduct regular audits of isolation and disinfection practices to ensure compliance.
• Address any lapses immediately to prevent the spread of HFMD within the facility.

Feedback Mechanism:

• Encourage staff to report any issues or concerns regarding isolation and disinfection procedures.
• Continuously improve protocols based on feedback and new research.

By strictly adhering to these isolation and disinfection protocols, healthcare settings can significantly reduce the risk of HFMD transmission, ensuring a safer environment for both patients and staff.

 

Cleaning in Schools and Childcare Centers

Schools and childcare centers are high-risk environments for the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) due to the close contact among children.

Implementing rigorous cleaning and disinfection practices is essential to control outbreaks and protect the health of students and staff.

Key Areas to Clean and Disinfect:

Classroom Surfaces:

• Desks and Chairs: Wipe down daily with disinfectant, focusing on edges and surfaces frequently touched by students.
• Shared Learning Tools: Regularly disinfect items like books, pencils, and craft supplies that are used by multiple children.

Play Areas:

• Toys and Play Equipment: Disinfect toys daily, particularly those that are shared among children or frequently put in mouths.
• Flooring and Mats: Clean and disinfect floors and play mats, especially in areas where children crawl or play on the ground.

Restrooms and Changing Areas:

• Toilets and Sinks: Disinfect restroom fixtures multiple times per day, paying special attention to handles, faucets, and soap dispensers.
• Diaper Changing Stations: Clean and disinfect after each use, and ensure that staff follow proper hand hygiene afterward.

Best Practices for Cleaning and Disinfection:

Use of Effective Disinfectants:

• Choose disinfectants that are known to be effective against viruses, such as chlorine-based or alcohol-based solutions.
• Avoid using mild soaps or ineffective cleaners, as they may not fully eliminate the HFMD virus.

Cleaning Frequency:

• Increase the frequency of cleaning during HFMD outbreaks, particularly in high-touch areas.
• Schedule deep cleaning sessions for weekends or after hours to ensure thorough disinfection.

Proper Cleaning Techniques:

• Wipe Surfaces Correctly: Use a back-and-forth motion rather than circular to avoid spreading germs.
• Ensure Contact Time: Allow disinfectants to sit on surfaces for the recommended time to maximize effectiveness.
• Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate cleaning cloths or wipes for different areas (e.g., one for toilets, another for desks).

Promoting Hygiene Among Children:

Hand Hygiene Education:

• Teach children the importance of handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom.
• Incorporate hand hygiene into the daily routine, with scheduled handwashing times throughout the day.

Visual Reminders:

• Post signs and posters in classrooms, restrooms, and common areas to remind children and staff of proper handwashing and hygiene practices.
• Use fun and engaging materials, such as cartoons or games, to encourage younger children to participate in hygiene practices.

Engagement with Parents and Guardians:

Communication:

• Inform parents about HFMD outbreaks and the measures being taken to clean and disinfect the school or childcare center.
• Provide guidance on how parents can continue these practices at home, particularly if their child shows symptoms of HFMD.

Involvement:

• Encourage parents to reinforce hygiene practices at home, such as regular handwashing and keeping their child at home if they exhibit symptoms of HFMD.
• Share resources or tips on effective home cleaning and disinfection to prevent further spread.

By following these best practices, schools and childcare centers can create a safer environment, significantly reducing the likelihood of HFMD outbreaks and ensuring the well-being of all children and staff.

 

References

 

Takeaway

Preventing the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) requires a comprehensive approach that combines rigorous hand hygiene, effective surface disinfection, and strict isolation protocols, particularly in environments where children or vulnerable individuals are present.

By implementing these measures consistently, the risk of HFMD outbreaks can be significantly reduced, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for everyone.

Key Takeaways:

Hand Hygiene:

• Regular and thorough handwashing is the first line of defense against HFMD.
• Incorporate hand hygiene into daily routines, especially in schools, childcare centers, and healthcare settings.

Surface Disinfection:

• Focus on high-touch areas with effective disinfectants to eliminate the HFMD virus.
• Regularly disinfect surfaces in classrooms, play areas, and medical facilities to prevent virus transmission.

Isolation and Medical Protocols:

• Implement strict isolation for infected individuals in healthcare settings to prevent nosocomial infections.
• Ensure healthcare workers and visitors adhere to proper hygiene and PPE
  

  protocols.

Cleaning Practices in Schools and Childcare Centers:

• Increase cleaning frequency during outbreaks and ensure the use of appropriate disinfectants.
• Engage with parents to maintain hygiene practices at home and prevent further spread.

By adhering to these practices, communities can effectively control the spread of HFMD, protect public health, and reduce the impact of this contagious disease.

Maintaining these preventive measures, especially in high-risk environments, is essential to safeguarding the well-being of children and adults alike.

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!

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