INFECTION INFECTION CONTROLCONTROL

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Spreading DiseaseSpreading Disease

• Young children are very vulnerable to the spread of diseases because they haven’t built up immunities

• The potential spread of disease in child care goes up as the number of children and staff increases

Controlling the Spread of Controlling the Spread of DiseaseDisease

• Controlling the spread of disease is a major responsibility for any child care provider

• If we understand the 4 ways germs that cause illness are spread we can set up preventive measures: (see p 87)

• Respiratory tract: cough, sneeze, talk– The most common – Secretions go through air to toys, food, doorknobs,

etc– Prevention: cough into elbow

Controlling Spread of Disease, Controlling Spread of Disease, cont’dcont’d

• Fecal-oral: from bowel movement to hands to mouth– Prevention: sanitary practices See p 102

• Direct Contact: – Secretions (urine, saliva, mucus) to toys, etc– Parasites to clothing, bedding– Prevention: hygiene--keeping clean See p

102

Controlling Spread of DiseaseControlling Spread of Diseasecont’dcont’d

• Blood Contact: biting, nose bleed, cuts– Universal sanitary practices

Exclusion to Control the Spread Exclusion to Control the Spread of Diseaseof Disease

– Excluding children from care is not very effective. Most diseases can be spread (transmitted) for up to several days before symptoms appear

ImmunizationsImmunizations

• Immunizations (vaccinations) help prevent communicable diseases. EX mumps, chicken pox, measles, whopping cough

• US ranks 69th in the world in immunization rate for children

• Whopping cough, measles, etc are resurging at an alarming rate

• See p 89 for immunization schedule

Immunizations in CAImmunizations in CA

• Child care professionals report immunization rates among their enrolled children every Fall

• During intake process we can educate parents about the importance of immunization in preventing disease

Failure to ImmunizeFailure to Immunize• Some parents do not immunize for

medical or religious reasons. These parents must sign a waiver.These students are particularly vulnerable. Ex if someone in the community visits an area with a high incidence of communicable disease

• Controversy: do preservatives cause Autism?

Hygiene and SanitationHygiene and Sanitation

Cleanliness (hygiene) and sanitation are important in preventing the spread of disease in a child care environment

Cleanliness: everyday absence of dirt and germs

Sanitation: killing germs that spread disease

Universal Sanitary PracticesUniversal Sanitary Practices

• Help prevent the spread of disease (viruses, bacteria, parasites)

• USP are practiced in the following areas:– Hand washing– Diapering– Toilet and potty seat – Disinfecting surfaces

Hand WashingHand Washing

• The single most important thing a care giver can do on site to prevent illness

• See table p 92

• Hand Washing and Diapering will be covered in student demonstrations

Toilet and Potty SeatToilet and Potty Seat

• Toilets must be sanitized daily; more often if a child has diarrhea

• Both child and assisting care taker should wash hands

• Potty chairs are hard to clean and sanitize, and should be avoided, if possible. They must be cleaned after EACH use! See p 95

Cleaning and Disinfecting Cleaning and Disinfecting AgentsAgents

1. Cleaning: all purpose liquid cleaners

2. Sanitizing: Soap, detergent, abrasive cleaners remove bacteria to decrease spread of disease

3. Disinfecting: Bleach and water solution used to eliminate germs. Different strength solutions for General cleaning p 96), OR Contamination by BM, blood, vomit, urine (p 98). Bleach loses its potency rapidly so solution should be mixed DAILY

Hygiene PracticesHygiene Practices

• Dress-up things must be laundered frequently with bleach solution

• Hats should be sprayed with disinfectant

• Bedding should in individualized, labeled and stored in a plastic bag

Head LiceHead Lice

• Once head lice enter your school they are easily spread

hard to eliminate

often “return”

require exclusion (when nits or lice are present)

See p 98-99

Environmental Disease ControlEnvironmental Disease Control

• Water table: Standing water breeds germs (and mosquitoes) See p 100

• Play Dough: breeding ground for germs

See p 101

• Air: Warm, stagnant air breeds germs. The more people in the space for a longer time, the more germs will breed.

ImplicationsImplications• Care givers should educate AND model

infectious disease control tactics for the children, other staff, and families EX hand washing techniques (agar experiment)

• Cultural Sensitivity: especially around immunizations

• Supervision: Additional task: report required illnesses to CA Health Dept.