Fomites - new word equals PANIC!

[purpleteacher]

..and now I'm petrifed! I didn't know that SV could be transmitted through objects like pens, door handles, and stuff like that. Now I'm just panicing like there is no tomorrow! I teach and there are a million surfaces that could be contaminated and I cannot protect myself against all of them. I know the SV has hit the campus I am working at tomorrow VERY HARD, but I love the kids and the administration is wonderful.


I use hand-sanitizer, but I can't just wear gloves or put sanitizer on my hands every 2.29 seconds or I'll be viewed as a total freak. HELP!!!


Now I just feel doomed and I'm totally flipping out here!! If anyone is on AIM(onlypurples)or online, please beep me. I'm about to lose my mind and I have to teach 4th grade tomorrow and I am afraid I might cancel. I am totally losing it.

[falon_17]

Calm down, it will be fine! The fomites have always been there, just because you know about them now shouldn't make a difference. They were there before and you were fine. Just remember that. I learned about fomites in microbiology class last semester. Just remember to not touch your face/food unless you wash your hands first. I like to use a spray disinfectant on things I think are really dirty, like doorknobs, toilet seats...lysol is good stuff. They can only make you sick if you introduce them into your body yourself, so keep clean and don't give them a chance. It will be okay.

[purpleteacher]

What about touching my hair? I have VERY long hair and when I get nervous, I play with it... so I usually keep it back. Can I pass stuff from my hands to my hair and then stuff will grow on my hair and eventually or possibly contaminate my mouth?


I am not good about keeping my hands off of my face. I wear glasses and I am trying to do better with the NOT TOUCHING, but it is so hard.

[falon_17]

Bacteria can live on your hair, I don't know for how long or if viruses can as well. But I know that bacteria need warm wet surfaces to grow. Viruses can't survive long in the air, I don't think. I know it's hard to not touch your face, I do it so much too. But I don't think that microorganisms can do much growing on your hair.

[rubysoho120]

I would say that the germs and bactiera are all around us, but
you just have to make sure to keep them out of your body by
washing your hands before picking your nose, touching your
eyes, your mouth, biting nails, eating, and wash for sure after
using the bathroom. Its all just common sense stuff. How are
you feeling? Still freaked out?

[purpleteacher]

I made it through my day with 4th graders... Tomorrow is 1st grade. I am really edgy about tomorrow because little kids V* easier and being a substitute, well, you know how their ailments might all "result in death" in their minds.

[dranzersflame]

My mom's a nurse and I just asked her about it. ^^



She says that as long as you wash your hands before you touch yourself
and use hand sanitizer, there really shouldn't be a problem - also, if
you really worry about it, you can change into a different outfit once
you get home and wash your clothes to rid your clothes of any bacteria
that might still be on them.

[purpleteacher]

I can't help but touch my face sometimes when I'm working. I have glasses and my glasses slide. I am really good about washing my hands and I use sanitizer when I can, but I do touch my face and eyes and nose --- I have allergies.

[madisonsmom]

Gotta love the fomites. Just keep your hands washed and out of your face as much as possible. I know its hard. I am a nurse and know how stressful it can be. I dont think I could be a school nurse. [img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]

[sage]

Purple,


touching your glasses or hair won't transmit a virus. Putting your finger in your eyes or nose (and to some extent, mouth) may. If you use a tissue to wipe your eyes that would be better. Washing hands regularly (not 40 X a day, anxiously, but the normal amount) will pretty much guarantee that you won't catch anything.