How can you minimize the risk of getting the infection if you are living or caring for a person with monkeypox?
In a webinar on “Monkeypox: Emerging Health Crisis,” Dr. Christopher John Tibayan, Infectious Disease Specialist, shared ways in how to prevent the spread of monkeypox within your home.
Dr. Tibayan said that in handling the laundry, do not mix the clothes of persons with monkeypox with those of other household members.
“Handle with care and with gloves. Don’t shake the clothes or the virus will spread,” Dr. Tibayan said.
“Technically separate the laundry,” he said, adding that detergent can kill the virus.
On frequently touched surfaces, Dr. Tibayan said that it is better to “avoid sweeping and using the vacuum cleaner.”
“Use an approved virucidal agent when cleaning [surfaces, floors],” he added.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) recommends that people with monkeypox remain isolated at home or in another location for the duration of the illness. That, however, might not be possible in all situations.
It said that prioritizing isolation and infection control strategies helps prevent transmission while balancing the impact of this infection on the daily lives of people diagnosed with monkeypox. These considerations, the US-CDC said, may change as more information is gathered from the 2022 global outbreak of monkeypox.
Bathroom usage
CDC recommends that those infected with monkeypox should use a separate bathroom if there are others who live in the same household.
If this is not possible, the patient should clean and disinfect surfaces such as counters, toilet seats, faucets, using an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)-registered disinfectant after using the bathroom. This means cleaning up after activities like showering, using the toilet, or changing bandages that cover the rash. Consider disposable glove use while cleaning if the rash is present on the hands.
People with monkeypox should follow these recommendations until the monkeypox infection has resolved:
- Friends and family should avoid contact with those infected with monkeypox.
- Avoid close contact with pets in the home and other animals.
- Do not engage in sexual activity.
- Do not share potentially contaminated items, such as bed linens, clothing, towels, wash cloths, drinking glasses or eating utensils.
- Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items, such as counters or light switches, using an EPA-registered disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Wear well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask) when in close contact with others at home.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses to prevent inadvertent infection of the eye.
- Avoid shaving rash-covered areas of the body as this can lead to the spread of the virus.
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