Professional Cleaning Services?

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Sojourner
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Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Sojourner » Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:23 pm

My 82-year-old mother lives with her 86-year-old husband in a small condominium; after sever weeks of persistent diarrhea and stomach pain, dehydration, no food and near exhaustion, she was taken to hospital and diagnosed with c-diff. She will be returning to her condominium from hospital in several days and I was wondering whether I need to have her condominium professionally cleaned before she inhabits it again. Her husband has stayed there without incident for a week or so while she has been in hospital. It is carpeted throughout, except kitchen, and there is a fair amount of clutter (stacks of magazines, etc.). What would you advise be done, if anything, to her living arrangements prior to her return from hospital?

Thank you in advance for your assistance. This forum looks like a very useful and most helpful resource.

getwellsoon
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby getwellsoon » Thu Jun 05, 2014 6:31 am

STANDARD INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the site. Read the first forum “All Users Read This First” and subtopics “Site History” and “Information and Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards.” (Note limits on posting.) This will guide you in using the site and answer some of your questions. Read Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under “CDI” – particularly Recent CDC Report, The C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.

“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the new forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.

The majority of patients (about 80%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include FMT's, which have a high cure rate, and Dificid. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. You can help by educating your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Help us make others aware of C. difficle – which will lead to further advances in treating and/or preventing the infection. If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.

If a medication contributed to your case, please fill out an Adverse Event Report online at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Under "Resources for You," in left-hand column, click on "Report a Serious Medical Product Problem Online."

The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and “CDI.”) For more information, see other support groups on Facebook, including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD web sites, and “The FMT Foundation” under “Links” on the homepage.

This is a support site not a medical site. We can’t give you medical advice but can tell you what worked for us and offer support. No one will understand what you are going through except someone who has/had this unpredictable disease. All of our moderators and frequent posters had/have C. diff. (or a loved one with it) and know how physically, emotionally, and financially disabling it can be.

Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)


So sorry your Mom is fighting this terrible illness. I am glad she is getting over it. If your Mom had uncontrolled D on the furniture etc. that might need to be steam cleaned but if she didn't have any accidents then you can concentrate on the bathroom and kitchen areas. These areas need to be cleaned with bleach, a 1-10 ratio mixed in a bottle and sprayed and let sit for at least 10 min. You can investigate the exact instructions for cleaning and the bleach ratio. If these areas are clean and her bedding is washed with hot water she should be fine. Let us know how she does.
CAROL

Bobbie
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Bobbie » Thu Jun 05, 2014 4:56 pm

Carol gave you great advice. I would follow it. I'd also add some bleach to the bedding and wash their towels with bleach and hot water. I ruined so many towels and sheets when I had c diff! If I had it to do over, I would buy plain white towels and sheets. That is what a friend of mine did.

Welcome to the site,

Sojourner
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Sojourner » Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:30 pm

Thank you for your considered advice. A look around the discussion board suggests that we might also want to switch the carpet in her bathroom with tile, use paper towels instead of hand towels, have anti-bacterial pump hand soap in bathrooms and kitchen, and use disposable gloves and Clorox Germicidal Bleach Wipes. All great ideas. Thank you.

georgina
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby georgina » Wed Aug 31, 2016 7:51 am

Lucy
This is a very old thread , the poster Sojourner is not active on the site anymore.

PattieF
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby PattieF » Fri Sep 23, 2016 12:09 pm

Hi fellow sufferers and past sufferers of c diff!
I have a few questions about cleaning. I'm on my 3rd round of treatment, a Vanco taper. Of course, as it seems everyone has become, I'm a bit OCD about cleaning and a germaphobe now. Yet, I wonder if I am not doing enough! I've read all the info about cleaning and disinfecting but questions linger. I use one bathroom in the house mostly, sometimes when I get up in the middle of the night to pee I use the master bath. I use the main bathroom exclusively for BM's and hand washing (it's easier to clean). I scrub my hands twice before and after cleaning the toilet. (1) I wonder if I should clean the toilet after urination too. I don't currently. And as far as the floor, etc... (2) do people do that after every BM? I usually clean the sink and toilet surfaces every time, and the rest of the surfaces periodically - weekly. I use the Clorox germicidal wipes and squirt the toilet with a mixture afterwards. I use paper towels.
Also, I wrap the wipe in the glove after using as I peel it off (can't flush them with our system) and throw them in the garbage. (3) Do people throw all the paper towels and gloves, etc. in the garbage in the bathroom, or take them all the way out of the house? In lieu of removing them from the bathroom, I've started to spray the bleach mixture into the garbage can as well - and (4) how often do you clean the kitchen surfaces?? I scrub my hands before cooking or doing anything in the kitchen.
After nearly five months of this I wonder if I will ever use the bathroom again without paranoia and cleaning! My husband has been very supportive but he's been getting irritated with me when I suggest he go scrub his hands so often! I remind him that although he hasn't been afflicted with this illness, I am more susceptible apparently and don't need yet another relapse!
Thanks to everyone who has been involved in keeping this site running... without it, I would be lost! Or very very sick! Pattie

Jill79
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Jill79 » Fri Sep 23, 2016 9:22 pm

Hi Pattie,

When I had an active infection and on treatment (twice) I put on a glove to wipe after each BM, kept it on to use the germicidal wipe on the toilet, peeled the glove off with the bleach wipe inside and tossed in the garbage. Then I thoroughly washed my hands with soap and water and used a paper towel to dry. I would wipe the sink down occasionally with the wipes, as well as light switches, door handles, kitchen counters, refrigerator handles, etc., but not everyday. I also got into the habit of using my elbows to turn off the faucet, light switches or push open the door to avoid contact with knobs and handles, etc. Now that I'm back at work, and tested negative, I still use my elbows and paper towels to open doors, etc., mainly because other people are gross. lol

My hands got dry and raw and I wasn't washing them nearly as much as you seem to be. I asked the same question about bleaching after urination and was told by a few people and my GI that it wasn't necessary, however my PCP said to. I ended up peeing so much with the water intake and inflammation down there that I eventually only bleached after a BM and I didn't even suffer the severe WD that most others do. Again, what I have gotten out of this whole experience is that proper hand washing is the key because this illness is spread fecal to oral so I would only stress washing your hands very well after each bathroom visit and before preparing and eating food, brushing your teeth - basically anytime your hands will be in or near your mouth. I may be wrong, but I think scrubbing your hands before you clean the toilet might be overkill. Both my mother and boyfriend use the same bathroom (even though we have two) and neither of them have gotten infected even when I had active C. Diff with D before I was diagnosed and before I learned that I needed to clean with bleach.

As far as the floor, unless you are having accidents to where the D gets on the floor, normal cleaning (with bleach) every so often should be sufficient. Again flush with the lid down to keep things contained to the toilet. I've always used plastic shopping bags in my garbage cans, never sprayed bleach into the bag and only tied up the bag and tossed it when it was full. You may want to occasionally bleach the garbage can if you do use plastic bags because they can have holes in them, but as most other people will tell you on here, it's impossible, let alone exhausting to try to kill every single spore. Just keep your hands clean. :)

Again, just my experience, not medical advice. Do what makes you feel comfortable, I totally understand your concerns and I'm so sorry to hear that you're battling this again for the third time. Gloves are your friends, save you hands! Wishing you well! :)

PattieF
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby PattieF » Sat Sep 24, 2016 12:42 am

Thanks Jill. It is such a pain as you know... But the fear of relapsing is stronger than reason sometimes. I appreciate your response. I'm doing everything you mention with the exception of using gloves after a BM - hence the double washing. Yes the hands are raw! But forget about using lotion... I'll just scrub them again in a few minutes! And the extra fluids do make for even more frequent bathroom trips don't they? I guess I will use the gloves more. Did you also bleach your shower only occasionally? I keep reading things and wonder if I am doing enough. This illness scares me! Again, thanks so much Jill.

Jill79
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Jill79 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:25 am

You're welcome Pattie,

I've always had an anxiety/panic disorder, but this illness gave both a whole new meaning. I was and am still terrified of relapsing and worrying if I'm doing enough. You are definitely not alone!

My hands are still dry and cracked with all the washing to the point where I have to use cool or cold water because hot water will make them bright red unless I immediately apply lotion, which I agree seems pointless when I end up washing them again shortly after! :)

I only bleach the shower occasionally, but what made me feel better is using the wand to spray down the shower with water before I get out each time. My boyfriend and I did that even before I got sick to keep the soap residue at bay, but I think because the act of showering is like washing your hands, you're washing everything down the drain anyway. I did use a new towel each time that got put in the laundry and eventually bleached on the sanitize setting and I dried my face and body before my bottom or used a different towel for each area.

My only other suggestion that I forgot to mention is to use a bleach tablet in your toilet tank. I still do in both bathrooms. Keeps the bowl clean and just smelling the bleach after I flush (with the lid down) seems to put me more at ease.

I just keep telling myself that if I leave the bathroom with clean hands and wash them well before food prep and eating, taking pills, etc., then I've done everything I can to protect myself. But the worry is always in the back of my mind too. :)

AllisS
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby AllisS » Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:50 am

If you're washing your hands to the point where they are "dry and cracked," you need to power down on the washing. Cracked skin can create portals for infection, and you don't want an infection because if it becomes severe it could require an antibiotic, which we all know is a risk. You could apply some moisturizer to your hands periodically until they recover from the cracking.
If your illness was preceded by use of a medication, e.g., an antibiotic, please fill out an FDA Adverse Event Report at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

Jill79
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Jill79 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:48 am

Hi Allis,

I should have used the terminology of dry and scaly, as my hands are not "cracked" so to speak just rough, with no broken areas, just really dry at times. I actually don't over wash them as much as I did with the active infection and on treatment and I also use a mild creamy soap for sensitive skin at home with a heavy intensive care moisturizer.. At work I use whatever soap is available and lotion afterwards but I noticed I don't seem to need to use the restroom as frequently for some reason, maybe because I'm busy trying to play catch up and I'm more active so I'm not having to urinate as much. My family has even kindly taken over doing dish duty for the time being when we don't need to use the dishwasher to spare my hands from the hot water. I think the infection and two rounds of meds also have affected my skin with dryness and excess oil production, some acne, etc. A lot of things I'm noticing now that weren't as much of an issue before. Could also be stress! :)

You are absolutely correct about broken skin creating portals for infection and I'm doing my best to avoid that, but I really appreciate your concern and information. :)

Thank you for all that you contribute to this board and for your kind response, have a wonderful weekend, hope you are well!

roy
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby roy » Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:53 am

Don't scrub your hands!
Wash with a liquid soap, rub them together under warm running water for as long as it takes to sing the happy birthday song.
The aim is to wash bacteria off, scrubing just moves it around!
Your gut became sick because the good flora was damaged.
Your skin also has good flora and removing it all could open you up to skin diseases.

Bobbie
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Re: Professional Cleaning Services?

Postby Bobbie » Sat Sep 24, 2016 10:28 pm

Good advice. See CDI - Hygiene Tips. Latest info. Last.


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