Vomiting and Diarrhea (Gastroenteritis) What can we do about our current outbreak?

What Causes Gastroenteritis? Caused by a germ Caused by a germ virus virus bacteria bacteria parasite parasite

What Causes Gastroenteritis? (cont) It gets into your stomach and intestines It gets into your stomach and intestines causes inflammation of the Stomach (=>nausea and vomiting) causes inflammation of the Stomach (=>nausea and vomiting) or intestinesor intestines (=>cramping and diarrhea) (=>cramping and diarrhea) Keeps you from absorbing food and waterKeeps you from absorbing food and water

How do we get it? It is transmitted by a someone who is carrying germ. It is transmitted by a someone who is carrying germ. They use the Head and don’t properly wash their hands afterward They use the Head and don’t properly wash their hands afterward

How do we get it? Someone carrying the germ uses the Head and doesn’t properly wash their hands afterward Someone carrying the germ uses the Head and doesn’t properly wash their hands afterward

How do we get it? (cont) After leaving the head, they touch surfaces that others touch After leaving the head, they touch surfaces that others touch Door knobsDoor knobs Ladder railsLadder rails Hatch handlesHatch handles The germs get deposited there The germs get deposited there (Think of all the surfaces you touch in your day)

How do we get it? (cont) The next person comes along and touches the same surface The next person comes along and touches the same surface Now they have the germ on their hands Now they have the germ on their hands They then fail to properly wash or sanitize their hands before eating They then fail to properly wash or sanitize their hands before eating

How do we get it? (cont) They then get the germs on their food or on their utensils They then get the germs on their food or on their utensils Those germs are then swallowed infecting them Those germs are then swallowed infecting them And the cycle starts all over again… And the cycle starts all over again…

So how do we prevent it? Wash hands after using the Head! Wash hands after using the Head! Clean surfaces that people touch Clean surfaces that people touch Wash or sanitize your hands before eating! Wash or sanitize your hands before eating!

Washing hands Use soap and water Use soap and water Wash for about 15 seconds Wash for about 15 seconds Sing happy birthday to yourself for timingSing happy birthday to yourself for timing Dry your hands with a paper towel Dry your hands with a paper towel (leave the water running)(leave the water running) Turn off the faucet with the paper towel Turn off the faucet with the paper towel Open the door on the way out with the paper towel Open the door on the way out with the paper towel Deposit the paper towel in the trash OUTSIDE the head Deposit the paper towel in the trash OUTSIDE the head

Washing hands (cont) RPPO’s can pick up paper towels at Supply S-8 for any heads you are responsible for. RPPO’s can pick up paper towels at Supply S-8 for any heads you are responsible for. Large burnable paper bags can also be picked up at Supply S-8 for used paper towels outside of heads Large burnable paper bags can also be picked up at Supply S-8 for used paper towels outside of heads

Cleaning Surfaces During Spirit /during Sweepers During Spirit /during Sweepers Door KnobsDoor Knobs Hatch handlesHatch handles Ladder railsLadder rails FaucetsFaucets Use spray disinfectant Use spray disinfectant Same stuff we have for gym equipmentSame stuff we have for gym equipment Spray, leave for 5 seconds, wipe offSpray, leave for 5 seconds, wipe off (“wax on…wax off”)

Wash or sanitize your hands before eating! Use the hand sanitizer before picking up plates, cups or utensils Use the hand sanitizer before picking up plates, cups or utensils Keep hand sanitizers full Keep hand sanitizers full PROTECT YOURSELF! PROTECT YOURSELF!

Summary Do what your mother always Do what your mother always told you! told you! Wash your hands after using Wash your hands after using the head Keep things clean Keep things clean Wash before eating Wash before eating