How Hand Protection Can Reduce Your Risk Of Contracting the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

The Coronavirus outbreak is spreading rapidly, and millions of people worldwide are at risk of contracting the virus. As of 6 February 2020, more than 500 people have died and over 28 000 cases have been confirmed around the world.

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What is the Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus is an airborne virus, spread in a similar way to colds and flu. The virus attacks the respiratory system, causing lung lesions. Symptoms include a runny nose, headache, cough and fever, shortness of breath, chills and body aches. The virus is said to have started at a meat market in Wuhan, China and has spread to over 28 countries around the world. At the moment, there is no successful treatment or vaccination however, medical scientists are working tirelessly to find a cure.

How is it spread?

The virus is incredibly contagious and has spread across the world, exposing many lives to danger. It is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes. Each infected person seems to spread the virus through coughing, sneezing or leaving germs on a surface that is touched by non-infected people who touch their nose, mouth or eyes. According to the World Health Organisation, the Coronavirus is an enveloped virus which means that it can live on surfaces. This means that even if you are not near someone when they sneeze or cough, you are still at risk if you touch something that has been infected even days later.

Susy Hota, an infectious disease physician and medical director of infection prevention and control at the University Health Network in Toronto, advised that there is no exact answer to how long the virus lives on surfaces as it can depend on what the material of the surface is. She states: “It could be hours, or it could be days, depending on what we are dealing with,”

Cold viruses tend to survive less than 24 hours outside the human body although norovirus (a severe stomach bug) can last months outside the body. For this reason, it is critical that people protect themselves from surfaces which could be infected.

What can I do to prevent infection?

The World Health Organization says the best way to avoid germs, with coronavirus and other airborne illnesses, is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, try not to touch your nose, mouth or eyes and avoid contact with people displaying symptoms.

The UN agency advises people to:

• Frequently wash their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or warm water and soap
• Cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough
• Seek early medical help if they have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and share their travel history with healthcare providers
• Avoid direct, unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals when visiting live markets in affected areas
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products and exercise care when handling raw meat, milk or animal organs to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods

How can wearing the correct gloves reduce my risk of infection?

The biggest problem is that people are not able to wash their hands as frequently as they should and are at risk of being infected. To reduce this risk, it is recommended that gloves be worn in all public areas such as subways and buses.

Your skin protects your organs and acts as a barrier that guards against micro-organisms and chemicals. Even though your skin protects your body, your skin needs protection too. Your skin works hard to keep contaminants out, but some contaminants will be absorbed by the skin unless you are wearing the correct gloves. Wearing the correct gloves means that contaminants cannot be absorbed and you will reduce your risk of contracting the Coronavirus and other viruses.

Here are some tips to remember when wearing your gloves:

1. Always wear gloves to touch a doorknob, stairway banisters and any other hand-held objects.

2. When you take off your gloves, be sure to remove them hygienically (see image below) and wash your hands with a disinfectant soap. Before putting your gloves back on, wash your hands thoroughly again.

4. Change gloves daily, washing them thoroughly and avoid wearing damp gloves.
5. Always keep your hands away from your face and eyes whether you are wearing gloves or not

It is essential for medical workers and caregivers to wear disposable gloves when coming into contact with a person’s blood, body fluids and/or secretions, such as sweat, saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, vomit, urine, or diarrhea. Gloves should be removed hygienically and disposed of once used.

What are my glove options?

Granberg® has a range of virus approved disposable gloves which will reduce your risk of infection. Click on the button below to see our Granberg® range of virus approved gloves.

View the Granberg virus approved gloves

Should you need assistance in choosing the correct gloves, contact one of the Khulanathi Glove Specialists who will be happy to help: info@khulanathi.co.za

 

 

References:

www.cnn.com

www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/02/1056562