yikes! hope this isn't DVC!!!

[daddiojiggy]

The germ testing was done before the rooms were cleaned, so it likely overstates the risks that most travellers would face. Nevertheless, it shows the potential hazards if a hotel's turnaround amounts to little more than changing the sThe germ testing was done before the rooms were cleaned, so it likely overstates the risks that most travellers would face. Nevertheless, it shows the potential hazards if a hotel's turnaround amounts to little more than changing the sheets and wiping out the tub.
"You sure hope the cleaning people were good," said Dr. Owen Hendley, the University of Virginia pediatrician who presented results of the study Friday at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Besides hotel hazards, the findings point out things that people may not think to clean in their homes when someone has a cold.

"We know that viruses can survive on surfaces for a long time - more than four days," said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist at the university who led the study.

 

[CarolA]

The only way to ENSURE you don't find germs is to live in a bubble.

I refuse to worry about everything and this goes on the "I am not going to worry" side of the ledger. I travel weekly and I have pretty good health so.....

 

[Muushka]

I am not usually an alarmist when it comes to germs. Never 'wipe down' the room or anything like that. But I must say that I returned from WDW a sick puppy. I was there for 6 days when I got sick. I was the only one in the room to get sick and I was the only one in the room to use the telephone. I went to the doc because I could not shake it. He said I had the 'Coxsackie Virus'.

Not sure where I got it from, I know that it could be from anyone, anywhere, but I will wipe down the phone and surfaces next time I check in! I am still sick and I am one who is usually only sick for 3 or 4 days. This is day 10.

 

[jetstream]

I am not usually an alarmist when it comes to germs. Never 'wipe down' the room or anything like that. But I must say that I returned from WDW a sick puppy. I was there for 6 days when I got sick. I was the only one in the room to get sick and I was the only one in the room to use the telephone. I went to the doc because I could not shake it. He said I had the 'Coxsackie Virus'.

Not sure where I got it from, I know that it could be from anyone, anywhere, but I will wipe down the phone and surfaces next time I check in! I am still sick and I am one who is usually only sick for 3 or 4 days. This is day 10.

The Coxsackie Virus is one that constantly runs through my DD's daycare. Seeing your in Disney, you could have picked it up anywhere.

 

[JCW]

Though I am not happy about the germs that are most likely in my hotel room. I try not to worry about it.

But again, it doesn't matter what I do or don't do as I almost ALWAYS get sick when traveling on vacation (usually about 4-5 days into it).

 

[VLee]

Although I am not one to worry about germs, I have a husband and mother who quite frequently use the antibacterial gel when out in public.

Not a bad idea, really....when you think about it.

But while you are wiping down telephone receivers, you might remember the tv remote control. It probably never gets cleaned!

 

[Disney Doll]

Actually, all these anti-bacterial gels and such are part of the reason that we are so much more susceptible to germs. We are creating superbugs who develop more and more resistance the more they are exposed to anti-bacterial stuff.

A normal healthy person needs to wash his/her hands with soap and water. That's it. Obviously people with compromised immune systems are a different story.

 

[DVCconvert]

The only way to ENSURE you don't find germs is to live in a bubble.

I refuse to worry about everything and this goes on the "I am not going to worry" side of the ledger. I travel weekly and I have pretty good health so.....

CAROLA !!!!!......YOU....are a GENUIS!!!!

THAt"s IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE NEXT DVC RESORT WILL BE:

Disney Bubble Villas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[manning]

The most contaminated spot in the public washroom is the door handle if you have to pull it open to leave. How to handle it?

I saw this posted in a hospital washroom.

"While washing your hands sing the happy birthday song three times. Wipe your hands with the paper towels, then use the towel to open the door and avoid touching the handle."

More and more I am seeing towel disposals placed by the door.

 

[dvc-NE]

THE NEXT DVC RESORT WILL BE:

Disney Bubble Villas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Boardwalker]

Where will they be? Attached to Spaceship Earth? It could use some suds.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I totally agree about anti-bacterials being part of the problem, and won't use them at home. That being said, however, I got sick of being sick almost every time we flew and started using anti-bacterial gel before eating on a plane (or anywhere else it is inconvenient to find a place to wash my hands. Problem solved.

 

[Mickey527]

Muushka, I hope we didn't pass the coxsakie virus to you. We were at OKW in late August and my grandson had it when we left CT and got over it during our trip.
I got sick three days into our trip but it was different than what he had, I think I got it from the guy sitting next to me on the plane that never learned how to cover his mouth when he coughed. I had a terrible head cold and sinus pressure.
I am a nurse and I always wash my hands the way we were taught in school.
turn on the water, use soap and scrub your entire hand and up your arms, rinse well and grab a few paper towels to dry your hands. Turn the water off with the paper towels. Then use the towels to open the door to leave the restroom.
Most germs are passed onto the faucet handles because your hands are dirty when you turn them on and pick up germs again when you shut the water off.
And don't even talk about the germs that fly out of the toilet when you flush. Imagine what flys around with those super flush toilets. Sometimes it splashes so much that my feet get wet. Uggggg Peggie

 

[Muushka]

Probably not Mickey527 . We were at All Stars and I got sick on or around 9/26. That is one nasty virus. And strange. Headaches. Never had a URI with headaches except for when I got the (diagnosed) flu. I still have the fevers and a really bad cough. Oye......yada yada yada........

 

[Entropy]

Actually, all these anti-bacterial gels and such are part of the reason that we are so much more susceptible to germs. We are creating superbugs who develop more and more resistance the more they are exposed to anti-bacterial stuff.

A normal healthy person needs to wash his/her hands with soap and water. That's it. Obviously people with compromised immune systems are a different story.

I thought that also but a recent CDCP study showed no difference in bacterial resistance between using antibacterial agents and using soap.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no10/04-1276.htm

In fact, the study showed no difference in bacteria count between antibacterial products and regular old soap. The biggest difference that they found was based on frequency and duration of handwashing.
The bottom line is no matter what you use, wash often and at length.

 

[starbox]

Please do not confuse "antibacterial products" (i.e. soaps and lotions that contain an ingredient such as Triclosan to immobilize some strains of bacteria) and hand SANITIZING gel - which is over 60% alcohol - basically a bottle of good old fashioned rubbing alcohol in a gel form.

The alcohol-based gels are effective and are recommended by the CDC when soap and water and not available. http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/ Numerous studies have suggested that, due to the fact that most people do not wash their hands properly (by scrubbing vigorously and at length, rinsing completely, and avoiding cross-contamination from restroom surfaces) that with typical use, the sanitizing gel is more effective than hand washing.

Hand sanitizing gel (alcohol based) does not contribute to the rise of bacterial-resistant strains or superbugs (see CDC - search for hand sanitizer gel and you can pull hundreds of articles that recommend it be used in many different settings (esp. schools, food service, medical facilities) and after disasters.) Triclosan and other "antibacterial" chemicals that immobilize bacteria without killing them are the problem. "Antibacteral" agents also don't work of viruses. Rubbing Alcohol flat out kills everything nasty - that's why mom used to rub it on your cuts and why doctors uses to sanitize their thermometers in it.

I'm a school teacher and I've seen how effectively the Purell works to cut down illness in my classroom. I'd buy stock in the stuff.

 

[Olaf]

Thanks for that info Starbox. I carry the little bottles gel for a wipe down before eating at a restaurant. I also make a point of purchasing plain ol' soap for use in our home. My BIL is a doc and really pushes the washing hands and wiping down phones, door knobs, etc. DS has caught bugs on past visits to WDW and I'm determined that it not happen this time.