Infectious Disease Precautions

What do SARS, influenza and the common cold have in common?  Each of these diseases is caused by viruses.  The viruses are spread by respiratory droplets and contact with items that are contaminated by these droplets. 

A few simple measures will significantly reduce your risk of catching these respiratory diseases:

1.  Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water, and then thoroughly dry with paper towel or warm air dryer.  Thorough washing should take at least 30 seconds, and include washing both sides of your hands, between the fingers and around the fingernails.  Viruses are particles and will wash away just like dirt.  They also need moist surfaces to survive, so the drying is important.    Because viruses enter the body at mucous membranes, hand washing before eating, touching your face, eyes, nose is particularly important.

2.   Avoid close contact with people who are sneezing or coughing.  Sneezed droplets will easily travel 5’ in air at 100 mph.

3.  Frequently clean items that are regularly touched, such as doorknobs and telephones.  Frequently touched surfaces in public areas at UCAR facilities are sanitized each evening by the custodial staff.  Employees are responsible for the cleanliness of individual workspaces.

4.  Get an annual flu shot.

A few simple measures will significantly reduce your chance of spreading these viruses if you are ill, or becoming ill.

1.   Stay at home, or promptly go home if you have a fever.  Fever is defined as a core body temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or 38 degrees C.

Additional information may be found at the following Web sites:

• Centers for Disease Control
• World Health Organization
• National Institutes of Health