The risk of contracting an infection for humans is very high. The risk of infection is especially great in the presence of an open wound, during surgery, and it is also possible by airborne droplets. Therefore, a set of measures that are aimed at the destruction of pathogens is simply necessary. In the modern world, disinfectants should be in every first-aid kit, and not just for doctors. Timely help and disinfection can reduce the spread of infection at times or even eliminate a dangerous infection. Next, we consider what modern disinfectants are currently in use, their types, what requirements are presented to them and in what cases they are prescribed.
What is disinfection and its methods
Timely disinfection can prevent and stop the development of many infections. So what is she like? This is a series of activities that are carried out with the aim of destroying the pathogen of infection and destroying toxins at environmental objects. Due to this, the number of microorganisms is significantly reduced to an acceptable level, but their incomplete destruction is possible.
Disinfection happens:
- Preventative . It includes hand washing, daily cleaning using detergents and cleaners. Preventive disinfection should be carried out daily.
- Current . It is carried out in medical institutions. It is necessary at the patient’s bed so that the infection does not spread.
- The final one . Mandatory after recovery, death, isolation or hospitalization of the patient in order to disinfect the epidemiological focus from pathogens that are left to the patient.
There are several methods of disinfection:
- Mechanical Decking removal.
- Physical . Processing with UV lamps, boiling linen, dishes and so on.
- Chemical. The use of disinfectant solutions.
- Combined . A combination of several methods.
- Biological Means of biological origin are used.
Let us focus on the chemical method of disinfection. Consider what modern disinfectants use.
Disinfectants
Chemical and physical agents that are used to destroy the pathogens of infectious diseases of humans, animals and plants in the external environment are disinfectants.
They can be:
- In solution.
- Suspensions
- In the form of powder granules.
- In the form of tablets.
Modern disinfectants most often represent a balanced ratio of several active substances, which makes it possible to achieve maximum effect in relation to more stable microorganisms and active ingredients. They purposefully change their properties.
Disinfectants aim to destroy pathogens, and sterilization also destroys spores.
Modern disinfectants used in medicine are highly bactericidal and safe for humans. Also, many of them can be used as a detergent regularly, due to their low toxicity.
A few words about physical disinfection methods. These include:
- Sunlight.
- Drying.
- Water vapor.
- Boiling.
- Firing and calcination. Burning.
- Ironing
- UV exposure.
However, chemical disinfectants are used much more often because it is more affordable than high temperatures. Not every item to be disinfected can withstand such heat.
Types of disinfectants and their purpose
There are several types of disinfectants, depending on what is the main active substance.
- Chlorine based products. Wide antimicrobial spectrum of action. They cause corrosion of metal surfaces, discoloration of fabrics.
- Hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacids. They are odorless and easily decompose. Most safe for the environment, low toxicity. Used for the disinfection of corrosion-resistant metals, glass, plastics.
- Based on aldehydes. Wide antimicrobial spectrum of action, including spores. Good penetration, while not damaging the fabric, do not cause corrosion of the metal.
- Phenol-based preparations. Such agents are capable of creating a residual film on disinfected surfaces.
- Alcohol based. The most popular skin antiseptics. They evaporate quickly, leave no trace. Alcohol-containing fluids are often used to disinfect skin for injection.
- Based on Quaternary Amines. It is used to disinfect surfaces and equipment. Low toxicity, not effective against pathogenic strains.
- Based on organic compounds. Used for disinfection of hemodialysis systems.
- Means based on tertiary amines. A wide range of antimicrobial effects. Low toxicity and good detergency.
- Guanidine-based products. Low toxicity allows their use in the food industry. Leave a film that is not easy to remove from the surface.
- Combined disinfectants. Consist of several active active ingredients.
Features of modern disinfectants
Time does not stand still, and modern disinfectants are being improved more and more. What are the features of the new generation? We highlight some of them:
- A wide spectrum of action and activity against viruses, fungi, bacteria.
- Profitability of solutions. A thick consistency, in diluted form, can be stored for a long time and reused.
- Convenient to use and storage.
- They have a low level of toxicity.
- Do not damage the surface and materials.
- They have additional properties: deodorizing and washing.
Modern disinfectants have several disadvantages:
- Not all drugs can destroy spores.
- Weak effectiveness against some viruses.
- Organic contaminants can affect the effectiveness of the drug.
Requirements for modern disinfectants
There are a number of requirements for disinfectants that are currently in use:
- They must dissolve well in water.
- Cause the death of bacteria in a short time.
- Do not lose their effectiveness in the presence of organic substances.
- To have low toxicity or to be non-toxic to humans and animals.
- Do not spoil the disinfected surface.
- Must not be flammable or explosive.
- Do not have a pungent odor.
- Must be easy to prepare and use.
Modern medical disinfectants
At present, drugs are used in medicine for disinfection of a wide spectrum of action, which are effective against bacteria, viruses, spores, pathogenic fungi. These are both detergents and disinfectants. Many of them can be used repeatedly. Here are the names of some of them:
- "Septol" - can be used as a disinfectant and as a sterilizing agent.
- "Premium" - environmentally friendly, disinfects, can also be used as a detergent.
- "Bactol" - des. detergent.
- Bactol Forte is a highly concentrated complex preparation.
- "Kleenex" skin antiseptic, the solution can be used for emergency disinfection of surfaces.
- "Des Tab" - a very economical and versatile, available in the form of tablets and granules with chlorine.
- Sanitizer "Nika " - has an additional cleaning effect and is safe for human health. It can be used in child care facilities, catering.
Only medical disinfectants allowed by the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision can be used in a medical institution.
Disinfect hands
It is very important when providing care that your hands are clean. To do this, use modern hand sanitizers. They can be in the form of:
- Spray.
- Napkins.
- Soaps.
- Solution.
They can also have a different basis, namely:
- Alcohol based.
- Based on organic acids.
- With surfactant.
- Based on oxygen and over acids.
- Using halogens and so on.
The peculiarity of such drugs is that they should not contain chlorine-containing compounds. There may be triclosan, lactic acid or chlorhexidine.
Do not use alcohol-containing liquids if your hands are damaged skin. They dry the skin, but also do not last long. There are alcohol-free antiseptics. We will name a few preparations for the treatment of hands that have gained trust: Sterillium, Eco Breeze, Dettol, and Diamond Hands. The disinfectant "Nika" is an isoseptic, also suitable for hand disinfection.
You need to choose a product based on the characteristics of the skin, and also take into account the conditions in which it will be used. For example, sprays can be used both in everyday life and in everyday life. It is necessary to take into account the composition of the product. Gels and liquids are best used at home or at work.
They moisturize the skin well, have a caring effect. In a purse, such a tool can be shed if the packaging is fragile. Disinfectant wipes are widely used in everyday life, as well as by athletes. They can be carried with you, used on trips.
However, it is worth remembering that the frequent use of antibacterial agents can disrupt the water-fat balance of the skin. Since often these funds destroy not only pathogenic bacteria and viruses, but also the beneficial microflora, which is necessary to maintain natural protection.
How to prepare a disinfectant solution
Disinfectant solutions can be either in finished form or in the form of tablets, powders or highly concentrated solutions. And this means that you have to prepare the product yourself. Therefore, before disinfection, instructions for the use of disinfectants should be studied.
When preparing a disinfectant solution, it is necessary to adhere to several rules:
- First of all, materials that are used for disinfection must be approved for use.
- The room should be separate, with good ventilation. You can’t store personal belongings, products, eat food, smoke here.
- Before you start preparing the solution, you must familiarize yourself with the safety requirements.
- Wear protective clothing and protective equipment. Gloves, if necessary a mask, glasses.
- Follow the instructions for the preparation.
- Prepare in advance a dry container marked with a lid. Also water of the right temperature, dry measuring utensils, spatula.
- Measure the right amount of water, the required amount of disinfectant and combine the components. Stir the resulting solution thoroughly and close tightly with a lid.
- The container must indicate the time and date of preparation of the solution. At the medical institution or company indicate the person responsible.
- If the solution is prepared for single use, it is poured after use. If it is intended for repeated use, then after use it is closed and stored, observing the conditions. If flakes form, precipitate or appear uncharacteristic, the product should not be stored.
Before preparing a solution and disinfecting, first of all, it is necessary to carefully remove dirt from the surface, and then start its preparation. A disinfectant solution will not be able to destroy microbes that multiply in pieces of dirt.
After disinfection is complete, items must be washed or rinsed with clean, running water until the smell disappears completely.
When preparing a disinfectant solution, you must not:
- Mix the new solution with the old.
- Use dirty water.
- Add detergent to the disinfectant solution. This does not apply to hydrogen peroxide.
- Mixing two different products is not permissible.
- In the prepared solution, do not store tools and items for cleaning.
Disinfectant at all times
Not everyone can afford to buy modern disinfectants, which are not cheap. However, disinfection without using expensive drugs is possible. Each house has soda and laundry soap. And as you know, soap and soda solution was also used by our grandmothers.
For its preparation:
- Laundry soap (72%) three on a grater.
- We put 2 liters of water on the fire and add soap, stir until completely dissolved.
- Then add 5 tablespoons of soda ash.
- After boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Leave to cool overnight until thick.
Such a tool can be used every day for cleaning and disinfection.
Soap soda solution can be made less concentrated. To do this, use more fluid. So, to obtain a 1% solution, it is necessary to take a concentrated solution of 100 grams and dilute it with 10 liters of water. For greater concentration, dilute with 5 liters of water. Here is such a simple preparation. A disinfectant solution is prepared immediately before use.
The peculiarity of such a solution is that it can be used not only for disinfection of objects, but also for cosmetic procedures. It is also allowed to wipe food with a shell. But after that it is necessary to rinse the products under running water.
Disinfectant hazard classes
When working with disinfectants, their hazard class must be taken into account.
- Class 1 products are extremely toxic. Do not use in medical institutions. Apply only in extreme situations, in special suits and gas masks. Cannot be used indoors.
- Means of the 2nd class. Highly hazardous. Apply in the absence of people. In this case, personal protective equipment is used. It can not be used in child care facilities, at catering facilities, in healthcare organizations. After use, ventilation and cleaning are necessary.
- Means of the 3rd class. Moderately dangerous. It can be used without protective equipment, but in the absence of people. Be sure to comply with the conditions of use of the drugs. And it is also important subsequent ventilation and cleaning.
- 4th grade. Low hazard. You can use without limitation.
First aid
Detergents and disinfectants should always be used with extreme caution, as they can cause burns if they come into contact with the mucous membrane and skin. If inhaled vapors are inhaled, poisoning is possible. How to provide first aid in this situation?
- If a highly concentrated preparation gets on unprotected skin of the hands, rinse this area with plenty of water. If formaldehyde gets in, it is recommended to treat the skin with a 5% solution of ammonia.
- In case of possible poisoning in pairs, with irritation of the respiratory tract, the victim should be taken to fresh air. Then rinse your mouth and nasopharynx with water. If poisoning with formaldehyde vapor, it is recommended to inhale the vapor with the addition of a few drops of ammonia. Warm milk with soda or Borjomi will also help. Next, monitor for emerging symptoms. It may be necessary to use antitussive, cardiac, or sedative agents. In severe cases, immediate hospitalization is required.
- If the product gets into your eyes, immediately rinse them under running water or 2% sodium bicarbonate solution for several minutes. You can also drip "Albucid" to relieve irritation. In case of pain, instill Novocain (1-2% solution).
- If the drug enters the gastrointestinal tract, do gastric lavage with 2% sodium thiosulfate solution. In case of formaldehyde poisoning, washing is done with the addition of ammonia or 3% sodium acetate to the water. Further products are recommended milk, raw eggs and protein water.
In order not to resort to first aid, the instructions for the use of disinfectants should be studied before work, and it is also important to observe safety precautions when preparing solutions and their use.
The modern arsenal of disinfectants is so large that your eyes run wide when choosing beautiful bottles and jars. But at the same time, you should always focus on the result that you need to get. Sometimes using affordable laundry soap can replace expensive products.