I work at a hotel, and I'll frequently clean rooms where there's blood on tissues in the trash, on towels, and sheets. There are also the occasional vomit pools. We don't wear gloves for general cleaning, and yes, scratches do happen on the job. Gloves are not mandated and just recently became available, so we forget to put them on. Anyway...
What's my risk of getting some horrible disease after I pick up a towel that I discover has dried blood on it (probably at least an hour to 1/2 hour old every time) or empty a full trash can with bloody tissues buried just at the top etc.? Thanks much.
2006-10-10 18:30:16 · 11 answers · asked by Roogar 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
P.S. After I have been near something gross or touched a towel with whatever substance on it, I usually cover my hands in Clorox as I am washing the tub or spray my hands the mild disinfectant that we have if it is the nearest thing handy.
2006-10-10 18:40:05 · update #1
Most icky germs and viruses die when a body is no longer around to keep them warm. Just to be on the safe side, I would wear gloves all the time while cleaning rooms. I would also wear a hat of some sort. When you're done at the end of the day, change back into street clothes....just in case any gross stuff ended up on your uniform...you don't want to take that home with you.
2006-10-10 19:17:52 · answer #1 · answered by Carole 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I manage a weekly rental and it gets bad as well, I can't believe u didnt have a training program just for this reason WEAR UR GLOVES if ur are worried about catching something, thinking about it then u should then remember to put on gloves.
I use a lot of bleach for one thing and have special gloves and grips to pick up certain things, bleach kills anything including HIV so, if u see blood bleach it, i use a spray bottle cus i use it so much u can add some water to it for less messy jobs and disinfectant Also, u should be wearing a mask when cleaning vomit and when cleaning bathroom....I can't believe that hotel isn't taking more precautions on their employees. ..Again, WEAR UR PROTECTIVE GEAR, and be more aware of what u r handling or what could be.
2006-10-10 23:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by Jules 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HIV is a virus, and unlike bacteria which can survive on their own, viruses cannot. Viruses need host cells to survive. This means that unless the virus is in a human, or any other living thing, it cannot reproduce and will die. And either way, you can only contract HIV through sexual relations, blood, breast milk, semen and similar bodily fluids. Unless it comes in contact with your blood or if you swallow it in big concentrations, you probably wont contract it, No worries. Really, it has to be in contact with your own blood. If you are worried about contracting something though, here are a few tips! -if you have any open sores, cover them with a bandaid. if its on your hand, but a bandaid and wear gloves on top. -wear a mark while cleaning areas that you may think to be infected -wash your hands before begining cleaning, wear latex or rubber gloves while cleaning, and wash your hands after cleaning -always disinfect the areas, so the next guests are also safe!! -tie your hair back Hope this helps!
2016-03-28 04:28:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the local OSHA authority and report where you work. In any job that mandates contact with blood or other bodily fluids, your employer is REQUIRED to provide gloves for you. And it is your responsibility to ACTUALLY WEAR THEM! If you can't make sure you are up to date on your shots and wash your hands after each time you touch something with a body fluid on it. And to answer your immediate question, there is a fair amount of risk of catching a disease involved.
2006-10-10 18:36:23 · answer #4 · answered by lilia_164 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wash your hands often and I would check into the rubber gloves available. it is better safe than sorry later.
2006-10-10 18:33:48 · answer #5 · answered by marilee w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can catch hiv from blood that has been on any surface for up to two hours. you need to wear gloves
2006-10-10 18:31:58 · answer #6 · answered by hwall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ER Drs. & nurses, cops, i think have it worse, there in contact with people who have stds all the time, and open wounds..
2006-10-10 18:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by snoogans 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get hepatitis shots since you may be at risk.
2006-10-10 18:32:23 · answer #8 · answered by Laughing Libra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WEAR THE GLOVES. YOU COULD DEFINITELY GET SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T!
2006-10-10 18:52:00 · answer #9 · answered by Jenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a raise.
2006-10-10 18:38:27 · answer #10 · answered by citation X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋