Pay attention to house hygiene; Expert

Ludhiana, July 13, 2015: The lack of sanitation and hygiene was only adding to our health problem. Signs of poor domestic hygiene included not cleaning the toilet, not getting rid of rubbish, not washing clothes and bedding frequently and not storing food properly.

Dr. Atul Mahajan, Internal Medicine Specialist, A M Hospital, Ludhiana  said that germs could spread from person to person or indirectly by coming in contact with unclean objects and surfaces. Lack of hygienic cleaning could cause bacterial infections such as food poisoning, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea caused by Campylobacter and pneumonia, viral infections such as hepatitis A, gastroenteritis and colds and flu besides parasitic infections such as giardiasis, pediculosis the head lice infection and hookworm infection.

Ironically, as per sample findings from a published study conducted by Hygiene Council and supported by RB, formerly known as Reckitt Benckiser, all swabbed kitchen cloths in India were heavily contaminated and found to be the dirtiest item in Indian households. In 92 per cent cases, chopping boards and knives were found to be contaminated. The 45 per cent of home makers did not wash fruit and 51 per cent of them do not wash vegetables before eating. Only 44 per cent of them clean and disinfect their child's lunch box every day and only 44 per cent of children were made to wash their hands after playing outside, informed Dr Mahajan.

“WHO have enumerated five key points for safer food. These included cleanliness, keeping the raw and cooked food separate from other foods, cooking thoroughly especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood at 70 degrees Celsius, keeping food at safe temperatures, using safe water and raw materials. Dishes, utensils and tin openers used for pet food should be stored separately.”

He said , it was a common misconception that soap and water were as efficient as disinfectant for floor cleaning. Actually, soap and hot water would simply rinse the germs away, but disinfectant kill germs. Therefore daily use of disinfectant was recommended. It was important to note here that the disinfectant should be a surface cleaner and not phenyl as surface cleaners were more effective and safe to use. While choosing a surface cleaner for your house, one should buy prominent brands from companies with a reputation for R&D and product quality, look for at least 99% germ kill capacity and endorsements from medical bodies such as Indian Medical Association. Thoroughly drying surfaces was also critical as dampness could allow remaining germs to survive and reproduce.

The use of disposable cloths was also recommended. It was important to hygienically clean baths, lavatories and sinks frequently, especially if they have been used by someone who was ill. As per experts, always wash your hands after waste disposal. Also, foot-operated bins should be preferred over normal bins as they reduce chances of contact with germs on bin’s lid, pointed out Dr Mahajan.

To take care of your laundry, wash them at 60 degree celsius. Always wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.Run the washing machine on empty once a week, either at a high temperature or with a chemical disinfectant to prevent the growth of germs and did not leave laundry in the washing machine, as any remaining germs could multiply rapidly, remarked Dr Mahajan.