If someone that you live with has H1N1 should you go to work?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by drewboy12

carry around hand sanitizer... I got mine on my every minute at work now.

It's my understanding that hand sanitizer only kills bacteria though, not viruses. Anybody know if that true?

[Incogneto]

This whole swine flu thing is just made up by Purell to sell more of their product.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Sliver

It's my understanding that hand sanitizer only kills bacteria though, not viruses. Anybody know if that true?

http://www.canadianliving.com/health...imitations.php

Benefits:
• Hand sanitizers are convenient, portable, easy to use and not time consuming.
• Several studies have concluded that the risk of spreading gastrointestinal (stomach) and respiratory infection is decreased among families who use hand sanitizers.
• Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand-washing.

• Studies show that adding hand sanitizers to classrooms can reduce student absenteeism due to illness by 20 per cent. What's more, many kids think instant hand sanitizers are fun to use.

Limitations:
• Not all hand sanitizers are created equally. Check the bottle for active ingredients. The alcohol content may be in the form of ethyl alcohol, ethanol or isopropanol. All of those are acceptable forms of alcohol. Be certain that no matter which type of alcohol is listed, its concentration is between 60 and 95 per cent. Am alcohol content of less than 60 per cent isn't enough to be effective.
• Alcohol does not cut through grime. All dirt, blood and soil must be wiped or washed away first if the alcohol in the sanitizer is to be effective. In such cases, hand-washing with soap and water is advised.
• Hand sanitizers are not cleaning agents and are not meant as a replacement for soap and water, but as a complementary habit. Sanitizers are most effective when used in conjunction with diligent hand-washing.
The use of hand sanitizers is a habit that can help keep us all exposed to fewer germs, and therefore may decrease our chance of illness. Whether you are on the playground, using someone else's computer or visiting a friend in the hospital, take the time to rub some on your hands. It is an easy step toward a healthy winter season.

[Wookie]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569965,00.html

Wash or Squirt?
Most respectable public health experts will tell you that hand washing with ordinary soap and water is the most effective way to remove germs from your hands. But "effective" is a questionable term. The recommendation calls for hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to create a full lather and to reach all crevices of your hands and wrists, as advocated on Sesame Street yet rarely put into practice.


Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill most types of bacteria, viruses and fungi in a few seconds. While rubbing your hands with sanitizer for 15 seconds is ideal, poor hand-sanitizer use still beats poor hand washing.
And people seem to use hand sanitizers often — so much so that, from a public health standpoint, although proper hand washing is technically superior than alcohol gels most of the time, hand-sanitizer mania will likely be a more effective means to reduce disease transmission. Studies have shown how hand sanitizers reduce gastrointestinal illnesses in households and curb absentee rates in schools and workplaces.

Trash the Sink?
Alas, you can't rely solely on alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Alcohol can kill bacteria but not necessarily clean your hands. That is, it does not remove dirt, which includes organic material such as blood or feces. Soap and water must be the first choice in restrooms.
Also, there are a few key germs that alcohol doesn't kill well, such as the norovirus or E. coli, which is why soap and water is best during cooking, too.

[Peanut]

I know the policy at my hubby's work is to stay home (and work remotely) if anyone in your family is sick. There's a bunch of preggo's at his work though, so that might be part of the reason they are being extra careful and encouraging people to just work from home instead.