If we have learned anything from recent years, it’s that decontamination from exposure is very important. We certainly saw an uptick in this during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many other infectious diseases out there that mean people need to be aware and cautious. When there is an exposure, there are specific protocols for sanitizing and decontaminating to ensure the safety of yourself and others. 

In this guide, we share some details about decontamination following exposure to an infectious disease. Learn more about common diseases, what to do, and how the process works. 

Common Types of Infectious Diseases

An infectious disease refers to a lot of different things. Ultimately, it’s an illness that is caused by germs that lead to an infection of some sort. Those germs could be a virus, bacteria, or even fungi. When it comes to decontamination needs, the infectious disease focus turns toward those that are highly contagious. 

If something can easily be spread from one person to another, it is imperative to take action when an exposure occurs. There are specific protocols for handling these situations. You may find different companies that offer services for different diseases. 

The most common options that we treat include:

• Coronavirus
• Influenza
• MRSA
• Staph
• Hepatitis
• H1N1 (swine flu)
• Bird Flu
• C-Diff
• Candida Auris

The key to treating any exposure is to help remove both airborne and bloodborne pathogens where exposure has occurred. Most of these diseases are spread through things like airborne inhalation, body fluids, liquids, foods, or even contaminated objects. 

Why Are These Diseases So Dangerous? 

What makes an infectious disease so dangerous that it requires specialized cleaning? The short answer is these diseases spread very easily and they can be fatal. But it’s not just that people might get sick; it’s also about how easily the illnesses can be transmitted and the overall results that may have on a population. 

Once the spread starts, it can be extremely challenging to contain, which is why proper cleaning and sanitizing are absolutely essential. The ability to spread so easily is also why there are such stringent requirements for exposure to one of these infectious diseases. 

Decontamination and Handling Infectious Disease Exposure

When a facility or an area has been exposed to an infectious disease, OSHA and the CDC have stringent guidelines for cleaning the environment where the exposure occurs. It can be challenging to completely remove all germs from an exposure, which is where we come in. 

When we help sanitize following infectious disease exposure, we use a technology known as Bio-Sweep. This nanotechnology is an innovative solution that attacks the particles and thoroughly cleans and sanitizes the air as well as the surfaces in the treated area. 

Make no mistake: these situations always require specialized processes, but they require protecting yourself from direct exposure as well. Putting on a pair of latex gloves is likely not sufficient to protect yourself in this scenario. Teams that come in to clean the area typically wear full-body suits with masks and breathing protection, or possibly a full hazmat suit in some cases. 

The best thing to do is bring in a specialized cleaning team to take care of it. They will already have the appropriate equipment, the training for safety, and the ability to take care of cleaning and sanitation efficiently. 

Decontamination: It’s More than Just Cleaning

What is more complicated to communicate is that this isn’t just regular cleaning. It’s far more involved. Cleaning is not the same as sanitizing, and sanitizing is not the same disinfecting. They are all different. 

When you clean, you are working to wash away grime, dirt, and debris. It’s a surface cleaning process, but it typically will not kill germs – at least not many of them. Then, you have disinfecting, which helps to reduce germs but doesn’t kill them. Sanitizing is what actually kills and destroys germs on objects and surfaces. Sanitizing is what will help keep an infectious disease from spreading. 

But you can’t just spray Lysol and hope for the best. While that may be sufficient in some cases, exposure typically requires a stronger and more direct sanitation approach to be effective. 

Use ONEighty Solutions for Your Decontamination Needs

When you have any type of exposure or risk of exposure to infectious disease, you’ve got to take action. This protects you, any individuals around you, and any future individuals who may enter the space. Whether exposure happens from someone being ill, from a death, or from some other situation, don’t leave anyone at risk. 

ONEighty Solutions uses a specialized process to properly clean and sanitize against situations just like this. Contact us today and let’s get your space clean and safe again.