How To Clean Up After C Diff
Cleaning After C. Diff
Nausea. Fever. Diarrhea.
Sounds like a case of the flu, right? Maybe. What you're dealing with could be just a bad virus that will leave your system in just a few days or it could be the signs of something more serious; something like C. diff, a highly contagious top three superbug. For this reason, cleaning after C. diff is best left to professionals with the experience, chemicals, and equipment for cleaning areas impacted by superbugs and communicable diseases.
What is C. diff?
According to the CDC , C. diff is described as: "a bacterium that causes inflammation of the colon, known as colitis." The bacterium is called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile, or C. diff), and as it grows, it releases toxins that attack the lining of the intestines, causing a condition called Clostridium difficile colitis. The CDC estimates that C. diff causes "almost half a million illnesses in the United States each year." Cleaning after C. diff can be especially tricky because of how easily it can transfer from person to person.
What Are the Symptoms of C. diff ?
Symptoms of the disease may be mild to severe and include fever, abdominal cramps, and prolonged diarrhea. Individuals are at greater risk of contracting C. diff if they:
- Are over the age of 65
- Take antibiotics
- Have compromised immune systems
Is C. diff a Communicable Disease?
Yes, C. diff is a communicable disease. C. diff is present in stool and can spread person to person or by way of contaminated environments if the infected environments are not properly disinfected. The spores can also live on surfaces for several months, which is why hiring professional C. diff cleaners is critical to the health of those in contact with the infected environment.
Examples of How C. diff Can Spread
- Imagine you break your leg and go in for a minor surgery. Everything goes smoothly, but the nurse forgets to wear gloves when changing your dressing. You could catch C. diff.
- You have a cold and the doctor prescribes antibiotics. These weaken your immune system. Your chance of getting C. diff increases.
- The public restroom you just used is out of soap. You run some water on your hands and plan to use some antibacterial when you get in your car. Meanwhile you touch your keys, your wallet, and your steering wheel. Despite your good intentions, you may already have C. diff.
C. diff is found in feces and is transmitted by touch – if you come into contact with an infected surface, then touch your mouth or nose, the disease can enter your body through the mucous membranes. It can also be passed by touching an infected person, which is why it is so prevalent in healthcare settings and in places where sick people common gather. People with compromised immune systems, including the elderly, are at an increased risk of catching this illness.
Why is C. diff More Dangerous Than The Flu?
C. diff is classified by the CDC as an "Urgent Threat ," due to its widespread nature and ease of transmission. One of the worst aspects of C. diff is its duration . Without proper medical care, the illness will last much longer than most flus, sometimes lasting weeks. Also, the intensity of the symptoms, especially diarrhea, can be dangerous, leading quickly to dehydration. Furthermore, C. diff is difficult to kill. The CDC warns that the C. diff bacteria is known to be resistant to several common antibiotics. Proper and professional treatment of both the individual and their surroundings is necessary in order to prevent the disease from spreading and impacting others.
If Someone You Know Has C. diff
When you get sick, you go to the doctor. But what do you do if your home is also affected ?
If you or someone you love becomes infected with the C. diff bacteria, your first instinct will be to ensure the patient receives proper medical care. Following that, be sure to protect the rest of your home and prevent any reinfection, which is much harder to treat than the first infection, by having your home thoroughly cleaned by professional C. diff cleaners like Aftermath .
This precaution is especially important if the ailing person shares a bathroom with others, or if there are small children or elderly in the home. Even if surfaces like faucets and sinks appear clean, C. difficile can be incredibly resistant to household cleaners and disinfectants. A traditional house cleaning may not be enough to defeat the illness and you don't want to risk your family's health.
C. diff Cleaning Procedures
For cleaning after C. diff we adhere to OSHA's bloodborne pathogen regulations and practice universal precautions to protect our employees and our customers.
Science-based C. diff cleaning process:
- Complete an initial walk-through and OSHA-mandated employee-safety hazard assessment of the scene infected with C. diff .
- Follow OSHA's recommended cross-contamination protocol to control the impacted area by securing and separating the infected area from other parts of the structure.
- Remove all visible traces of biological materials from the area. This is the most dangerous step of C. diff cleaning because of the direct contact with infected surfaces.
- After removal, we thoroughly clean, disinfect, and deodorize infected surfaces using EPA-rated disinfectants.
- In the final step of the C. diff cleaning process we use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing technology to guarantee hospital-level standards of disinfection to ensure the safety of you and your family.
Aftermath Services has been cleaning homes and businesses affected by C. diff and other bacteria since 1996. Our offices are conveniently located nationwide, and teams of trained technicians are available 24/7 to see to your needs. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a C. diff cleaning contact us today .
Testimonials
"Zach was compassionate, professional, caring and easy to work with, yet clear with what he needed to do and conscious of safety. His crew were equally caring and professional."
Peggy H. - Chicago, IL
"Aftermath was very professional and completed the work in a timely and efficient manner. I would recommend them to future clients because of my experience with the professional work done during this stressful time. Good job, Jennifer. "
Michael G. - Boulder, CO
"Aftermath team made a very hard event much easier. Without them, I do not know how I would have made it through this. Corry went above and beyond my expectations. She was much more than the lead and for that I am more than thankful."
Christopher R. - Tallahassee, FL
"My father passed away and was left unattended for a few days with His two dogs in the house. We called aftermath on a recommendation from the local police department. John and his team were so helpful, thoughtful and professional throughout this difficult process. They even helped us load my father's Harley into our trailer because we didn't have a ramp. John stood with us while his team worked and let us reminisce about our father with him. The team went through everything in the house and saved everything that they could for us. During this incredibly difficult time for us, they put our minds at ease knowing that they would take care of cleaning the house completely and thoroughly. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, john and team. "
Jessica S. - Tennessee
"Jason and Ryan went above and beyond any expectations in my time of grief. They are professional, courteous and experts in their field of work. They performed all work quickly and professionally. I would highly recommend this company and these men to anyone. "
Erin R. - Ashville, NC
"Aftermath was very professional and was able to accommodate the urgency in the situation. They explained the services and was able to relieve my worries as they dealt with the insurance company. Other companies were unable to take the job or handle the job with efficiency to get the ball moving. Since I was needing the job done in a small window of time."
Latoya G. - Sacramento, CA
"The service, communication, and level of professionalism from Alex and Greg was amazing. They made an extremely difficult time bearable and easy to navigate. They took on having to figure out all the logistics and allowed me to focus on other priorities without having to worry about what they were doing. "
Zachary F. - East Stroudsburg, PA
How To Clean Up After C Diff
Source: https://www.aftermath.com/blog/communicable-disease-cleanup-company-tackles-c-diff/
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