3. Explain how your own health or hygiene might pose a risk to the individuals you support
If you have a stomach bug, it is important that you stay at home. You must stay away from work for 48 hours after the last period of sickness or diarrhoea. If you have suffered from a communicable illness, you should not go to work until
you have been given the all-clear to return from your doctor. This includes an illness you may have suffered when on holiday, especially abroad.
WHAT ARE BACTERIA?
Bacteria are organisms made up of just one cell. Bacteria exist everywhere, inside and on our bodies. Most of them are
completely harmless and some of them are very useful e.g. probiotics. Bacterial infections are usually treated with an antibiotic prescribed by a doctor.
WHAT ARE VIRUSES?
A viral infection is a disease that can be caused by different kinds of viruses, of which the flu virus is best known. A viral
infection can be in different places in the body, some viruses are mainly in the intestine, while others prefer the lungs and airways. Depending on the virus and a person’s state of health, various viruses can infect almost any type of body tissue, from the brain to the skin. The treatment of virus infections is usually left up to the individual’s own immune system.
How are infections with viruses and bacteria spread?
Viral and bacterial infections are both spread in basically the same ways. A person with a cold can spread the infection by coughing or sneezing. Bacteria or viruses can be passed on by touching or shaking hands with another person. Touching food with dirty hands will also allow viruses or bacteria from the intestine to spread. Infections can also be spread via body fluids.
A stomach bug introduced to a care setting or a hospital can quickly spread between the individuals, patients and staff. This results in staff sickness absence and individuals needing an increased level of support which can be upsetting for the individual and costly.
Some individuals you support may have low immune systems which means they are more vulnerable to becoming ill. This may also man they could suffer for much longer and their illness could be more serious, particularly if this adds and complicates other medical conditions or illness the are suffering from. It is vital that you help reduce the spread of infection Let’s explore the answers in more detail.
YES
Changing your clothes daily reduces the risk of cross-contamination. Uniforms or work clothes should be washed on a hot wash, then tumble-dried or hot ironed to kill any bacteria present.
YES
Wash yourself and your hair regularly and tie long hair back. Washing, showering or bathing on a daily basis will remove most of the harmful microorganisms on your skin.
NO
DO NOT wear personal jewellery, however you may wear a ‘simple’ wedding ring.
YES
Wash your hands regularly and always before and after undertaking personal care.
YES
Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing and smoking.
NO
DO NOT go to work if you have a health problem that can be passed to others, for example, a heavy cold or stomach bug. Keep up-to-date with vaccinations to protect both you and the individuals you support. All cuts should be covered with a waterproof dressing or a blue plaster if you are dealing with food.
Discuss with your employer any concerns you may have about infection control in your work environment. Make sure you know which PPE to use in certain situations and how to dispose of them appropriately after use.
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