Marmara Asia Region Occupational Physician Team Leader of Tepe Occupational Health and Safety Services (OHS), one of the companies in Bilkent Holding Tepe Corporate Solutions group, Dr. Yıldız Oral explained the differences between cold and flu.
As we enter April, the weather, which is cold and hot, also invites disease. Experts warn about what needs to be considered in order not to get sick during seasonal changes. Marmara Asia Region Occupational Physician of Tepe Occupational Health and Safety Services (OHS), one of the Bilkent Holding Tepe Corporate Solutions group companies, which focuses on ensuring occupational health and safety, improving existing health and safety conditions, preventing work accidents and preventing occupational diseases with the principle of working with a proactive approach. Team Leader Yıldız Oral explained the differences between cold and flu, and how to protect from these diseases. These types of diseases can also pose a threat to businesses. Cold and flu outbreaks can make people feel sick, as well as lose productivity. If these outbreaks occur frequently or on a large scale, they can adversely affect the reputation of the business.
Too many viruses cause colds
Tepe OHS Occupational Physician Team Leader Dr. Yıldız Oral said the following about flu and cold:
“Influenza is a disease that affects the respiratory tract and is caused by influenza-type viruses. Patients usually recover within 1-2 weeks, but the effects may persist for weeks. It is seen in the autumn-winter months and is one of the diseases that cause the highest cost in terms of labor loss. The common cold, also known as the common cold, is a nose and throat disease caused by viruses. More than 200 viruses are known to cause the common cold. It is possible to prevent the flu with vaccines. Frequent hand washing is extremely important to prevent colds. The most obvious difference between the common cold (cold) and the flu; It is the presence of a runny nose in the common cold, and the absence of it in the flu. However, the common cold is a disease that progresses much simpler than the flu and does not present great risks. Although cold and flu are different diseases, they are often treated without differential diagnosis, since they cause similar findings and both are viruses that cause disease.
“Preparations can be made for the periods when diseases increase in the facilities”
Facilities can prepare for periods when diseases increase by applying the best cleaning and disinfection practices. Thus, businesses and institutions; they can keep their employees, students, patients and guests safe and protect their health, minimizing unnecessary absences and loss of earnings.
Adonis Industrial Cleaning Products Inc. and Tepe Servis ve Yönetim A.Ş. The expert teams listed the measures that can be taken at the facilities as follows:
Staff should be trained in appropriate cleaning procedures: Facilities should ensure that cleaning procedures are in place detailing which surfaces and equipment to be cleaned and the order in which cleaning is to be carried out. These procedures should also describe when to practice hand hygiene, when to use gloves, and how often to use cleaning products and disinfectants. It is recommended that facilities be cleaned and disinfected more frequently and more thoroughly during periods such as cold or flu season when diseases are more common and transmitted. This may require replacing the traditional cleaning schedule with one that includes more frequent cleaning of all public areas, or assigning additional personnel to clean and disinfect.
Proper hand hygiene should be encouraged: Germs on hands can easily pass from person to person or to other surfaces. Facilities therefore need to encourage everyone to get into the habit of regularly washing and disinfecting their hands. When hands are dirty, individuals should clean their hands with hot water and soap or, where soap and water are not available, with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned: Even if hand hygiene is widely practiced, there is a risk of re-contamination of hands when touching dirty and contaminated surfaces. Frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, desks and counter tops should be cleaned and disinfected regularly or when dirty. Cleaning should be done from high places to low places, from clean places to dirty places and from dry places to wet places, and the disinfectant should be kept on the surface for the appropriate duration of action.
Illness notice boards should be placed: Facilities should encourage the installation of appropriate notice boards to prevent the spread of cold and flu. These warnings should include limited contact with others, covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and throwing away used tissue and paper towels. Facilities; By placing billboards and other communication materials in high-traffic areas, such as reception and restrooms, people can remind people to practice these behaviors.
There should be enough of the right supplies: In some cases, people may be faced with a toilet without soap or paper towels, forcing them to compromise or give up their hygiene habits. Facilities should have backup materials such as personal protective equipment, disinfectant, hand hygiene products, napkins, toilet paper, garbage bags and cleaning cloths. Thus, compliance with infection prevention strategies will be supported.
Ensure that all areas are properly cleaned: Facilities checking that all areas are properly cleaned for effective cleaning can help workers do their jobs as expected and identify areas for improvement. Facilities may wish to monitor handwashing and disinfection habits through hand hygiene monitoring and compliance reporting. In addition, organizations should ensure that employees wear appropriate protective clothing when necessary or recommended.