It is known that some viruses and bacteria can survive on surfaces touched by an infected person from a few hours to even a few days. These viruses include SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease. To minimize the risk of transmitting coronavirus to loved ones, it is best to fumigate the apartment after recovery. How to do it.
Some pathogens die very quickly when they have no host, while others can survive quite long different surfaces. In the case of coronavirus, it is assumed that it can remain on items of clothing, furniture or books touched by an infected person for up to several days. The exact time depends on the type of surface, temperature and humidity. For example, the virus on plastic or stainless steel can survive for up to three days, and on paper for up to 24 hours. Nonetheless, it would be best to disinfect the apartment after the symptoms of the disease have subsided, to minimize the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to loved ones. What should be done one step at a time?
Disinfection of the apartment – recommendations
Decontamination of the apartment after coronavirus is best started by thoroughly ventilating all rooms where the sick person has been. It is recommended to ventilate with the windows wide open for at least 30 minutes. Why is this so important? The idea is to achieve the effect of good air circulation allowing the removal of pathogens.
The second step is to throw away trash, especially hygiene products used by the infected person, and replace toothbrushes and sponges. Buying a new toothbrush should be a mandatory point after any infectious disease.
It is also important to remember to scald all dishes and cutlery used by the sick person. It is best to do this on a regular basis, either by using the high-temperature washing program in the dishwasher or by pouring boiling water over them for a few tens of seconds.
Next, you should disinfect surfaces such as switches, doorknobs, keypads, telephones and intercoms, remote controls for TV or music equipment, and bathroom toilets. For this purpose, you can use specialized products available on the market. If you don’t have such products at home, you can ask non-quarantined people to provide them without contact. It is important that disinfectants are alcohol-based and that the manufacturer’s recommendations are followed. You can find instructions on the package that tell you how much of the product should be on a given surface in order for it to actually have a bactericidal, viral and fungicidal effect.
You also need to remember to wash the bedding and towels used by the person with symptoms of coronavirus infection. It’s best to do this at the highest possible temperature – above 60 degrees Celsius – to really remove the pathogens. Another way to kill viruses and bacteria from pillows, for example, is to air them out.
The final stage of disinfection is cleaning the apartment, which means washing the floors – it’s a good idea to use a steam mop – wet-cleaning furniture and carpets. Used cloths or sponges are best discarded or scalded.
Adherence to hygiene rules
The basis for any viral or bacterial infection, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, is to follow hygiene rules. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of transmitting pathogens both to objects within your home and to other people with whom you come into contact. The most important and effective will be frequent hand washing with warm soapy water for a minimum of 30 seconds and disinfecting hands with alcohol-based products. To be safe, it is a good idea to avoid touching the face, especially the area around the eyes, mouth and nose.
If symptoms such as cough and runny nose are present, one should sneeze or cough into a bent elbow or into a handkerchief, which – to reduce the risk of spreading viruses – should be immediately thrown in the trash. When there are other household members in the house besides the sick person, especially those with lower immunity levels (young children, the elderly), protective masks can be worn.
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