Viruses such as influenza are highly contagious, especially to people who are directly exposed to an infected family member. According to the U.S. government's flu website, viruses are spread through the sneezing and coughing of an infected person; personal hygiene and sanitation are the two key components in fighting the spread of a virus. Flu and other viruses can live for two or more hours on a hard surface, so it's important to disinfect any surfaces the sick person has come into contact with.
Step 1
Spray all hard surfaces such as counter tops, tables, doorknobs and car door handles with either a commercial disinfectant or a mixture of 1 tbsp. chlorine bleach in 1quart of hot water. Let it stand for three to five minutes and then wipe clean with paper towels.
Step 2
Cleanse all clothing and bedding that the sick person has been in contact with, taking care not to hold the clothing close to your body when placing it in the washing machine. Wash and dry according to the manufacturer's directions, making sure you wash your hands after loading the washing machine.
Step 3
Clean any objects that the infected person has touched, using sanitizer wipes to rub down odd-shaped surfaces and electronics. Examples are the car steering wheel and gear shift, remote controls, phones and keyboards, all of which may harbor virus germs.
Step 4
Wash all dishes the patient has used by running the dishes through a dishwasher cycle or washing by hand in hot soapy water, rinsing and drying as usual.
Tips and Warnings
- Always wash your hands often when exposed to a sick person or surfaces they have touched.
- Always wear latex gloves when using chlorine bleach.
Things You'll Need
- Disinfectant spray
- Paper towels
- Chlorine bleach
- Quart spray bottle
- Sanitizer wipes
