A Clean House Can Be Your First Line of Defense Against Flu Viruses

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO has it's own line of disinfectants like SERVPROXIDE that are capable of treating 99.9% of bacteria and viruses?

Not unlike the past several years, this year’s flu virus has hit Georgia hard. With all the media attention being placed on the coronavirus (COVID-19), you might not have realized that around 16,000 Americans have perished due to the common flu since the start of 2019, thirty of which lived in Georgia. The coronavirus has infected over 130,000 people worldwide, while the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated over 29 million Americans have been infected with the common household flu (Influenza A & B) in 2019. The reason the coronavirus garners such attention is due to the fatality rate among those who contract the virus. Nearly one in thirty cases diagnosed result in death. The likelihood of contracting the coronavirus outside of China is pretty low, while the odds of coming down with the flu virus are far greater here in the U.S. These stats are not intended to understate the humanitarian disaster that originated in Wuhan, China, or the severity of the coronavirus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by this global health emergency.

 Currently there is no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus, but researchers are tirelessly working to develop a vaccine (not unlike the vaccines available for influenza A & B). The cause and how the coronavirus is spread is still under investigation and being researched by scientists and health professionals alike. Figuring out how the virus is transmitted is paramount to stopping it from spreading and eventually eradicating the virus. Health professionals have determined that the virus spreads from host to host primarily by direct contact, but also believe the virus can be contracted by indirect contact as well. Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing carry the virus which has proven to be one of the most common ways viruses and colds spread in general. Direct contact means contracting the virus by coming into contact with an infectious person, and indirect contact meaning touching objects or surfaces that have the coronavirus on them. To the best of researcher’s knowledge an infected patient can host the virus for up to fourteen days without the patient presenting any signs of infection. This makes diagnosing and stopping this particular virus quite difficult.

According to the CDC, most patients that have contracted the coronavirus reported mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Most agree that many of the same steps used to prevent the spread of the common cold are applicable and would be considered best practices in the case of the coronavirus. Things like washing your hands frequently, disinfecting surfaces, and covering coughs and sneezes will help prevent the spread of these types of viruses (coronavirus, Influenza A, & Influenza B, etc.). 

The following are some flu season tips that will help keep your family healthy during flu season:

• Consult a Medical Physician - Having a trusted medical physician that can diagnose and prescribe medications is key to quickly recovering from the flu virus and identifying which strain of the virus has been contracted. Tamiflu is commonly prescribed for influenza A & B and does a great job of helping patients get over the flu quickly, and every year drug companies produce flu vaccines aimed at preventing the common flu. When it comes to the coronavirus, diagnosis by a trained medical physician is not only crucial for the health of the sick but is also the best way to track the spread of the virus. If you believe you have contracted the coronavirus you should immediately see your doctor and take steps to prevent transmitting the virus to others. 
• Quarantine the Sick - Due to the ease at which the flu viruses can spread it is best to isolate infected people while they recuperate. Minimizing contact between infected and non infected people is the best way of preventing the transmission of both the common flu viruses and the coronavirus. Quarantined people should remain in quarantine well after symptoms subside, and in the case of the coronavirus patients, quarantine should last a minimum of fourteen days after they display no signs of the virus (and under the care and direction of trained medical professionals). In China, where the coronavirus outbreak started, mandatory city-wide quarantines are being enforced in effort to combat the virus. Strict regulations and instructions to wear face-masks in all public places are being implemented among the Chinese citizens to prevent transmission of the virus.
• Disinfect Surfaces - By disinfecting infected areas and high traffic surfaces you can treat for the virus before it is contracted. Use cleaning products that are specifically formulated to treat for flu viruses you are dealing with. Read the product labels and instructions to ensure the product will in fact disinfect surfaces, is formulated to treat for your specific strain of the flu virus, and follow the application instruction. The name of each virus the product has been rated to treat for should be listed on the packaging or on the manufacturers website. Manufacturers like Lysol, Purell, and Clorox produce great products for disinfecting surfaces, many of which are even rated to treat for the coronavirus. SERVPRO has developed our own line of disinfectants including SERVPROXIDE which is biodegradable, approved for food grade surfaces, and treatment of bacteria, viruses (including the coronavirus), and mold. 

The CDC has provided the following guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing different surface using household products:

First, wash surfaces with soap and warm, clean water to remove dirt and debris. Next, sanitize surfaces using approved products. It is critical to read and follow the safety instructions on any product you use. Below are the most important safety guidelines when using sanitizing products:

• Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.

• Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection.

• Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.

For information on cleaning specific surfaces click here!

• Hand Washing & Personal Hygiene - Washing your hands and practicing good personal hygiene is one of the best ways of preventing yourself from getting sick from any number of diseases and viruses. By washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, you not only prevent yourself from contracting ailments from infectious surfaces or materials you may have inadvertently come into contact with, but you also prevent the spread of ailments that you yourself may unknowingly pass along to others. Along with washing your hands, clothing and bedding of infectious patients should be handled with care and cleaned using detergents specially formulated to treat for the flu virus. Wearing a surgical grade facial mask will help prevent airborne pathogens from entering your respiratory system. These types of masks are typically readily available at your local drug store or supermarket.

*For more information on preventing the coronavirus from spreading visit the CDC.

SERVPROXIDE treats 99.9% of bacteria and viruses!

SERVPROXIDE is an EPA registered, stabilized chlorine dioxide based disinfectant and sanitizer. SERVPROXIDE carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating, requires no PPE for general purpose use and is safe for everyday use. It is designed to treat for harmful bacteria, viruses (influenza A, B, & COVID-19), and mold on hard surfaces and is an effective sanitizer for soft surfaces. The product is fragrance-free with a mild odor that dissipates quickly under general ventilation. The product also serves as an excellent deodorizer, once the source has been removed, that oxidizes and does not mask odors such as fire & tobacco smoke, musty odors, pet odors and stale cooking odors to name a few. It can be used to deodorize internal HVAC systems, and can also be wet fogged or misted through a ULV type mister for deodorization purposes. 

ABOUT CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) 

A coronavirus is a kind of common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses infect animals, not people. However, rarely, these viruses can evolve to infect humans and spread from person to person. Most coronaviruses are not dangerous, causing only upper respiratory infection symptoms like a stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat. However, if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract (the windpipe and lungs), it can cause pneumonia and be life threatening, especially in older people and people with weakened immune systems. There are some very serious types of coronaviruses, such as the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and MERS associated coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In early January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a new serious type of coronavirus—the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) now known as CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)

If you believe you have contracted or come into contact with someone carrying the coronavirus: 

• Contact your doctor, the CDC or other qualified health professionals.
• Contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage for emerging pathogen work. 
• Contact a well informed Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) to assist in providing written protocols and to assist in scoping potential jobs. 
• COVID-19 contamination requires thorough cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and materials within the affected area. 
•  Be sure to pay special attention to common use areas where COVID-19 can be easily spread through direct contact with others and where cross contamination may occur. 
• Currently there are no disinfectants that have been tested specifically for this emerging viral pathogen. The CDC is recommending a labeled Hospital Grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19. SERVPROXIDE has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to COVID-19 on hard non-porous surfaces. This product can be used against COVID-19 when used in accordance with the directions for use against Norovirus Feline Calicivirus** and Canine Parvovirus, Strain Cornell-780916, ATCC VR-2016** on hard, non-porous surfaces. In addition, SERVPROXIDE currently has EPA approved claims for Feline Coronavirus (Strain WSU 79-1683, ATCC VR 989**) and Canine Coronavirus (Strain 1-71, ATCC VR-809**). More product specific information can be obtained on the TDS & SDS.
• As with all emerging type pathogens, the use of proper PPE is of the utmost importance.

This product can be used in areas like: Homes, vehicles, schools, daycare, gyms, locker rooms, sports gear, hospitals, nursing homes, laundry rooms, veterinary, ambulances, laboratories, restaurants, boats, cruise ships, federally inspected meat & poultry processing plants, farms, animal pens and poultry houses, egg processing premises, hatcheries, swine premise sanitation, refrigerated storage units, airplanes, trains, trucks, buses & automobiles.