Why disinfect?
Simply to eliminate germs that can be harmful to health. These are present on our hands, on surfaces and in laundry.
Bacteria proliferate in a home at breakneck speed: A single bacterial cell generates a colony of 1 billion in less than 24 hours!
Investment in health
Microbe transmission also takes place without us realizing it. Many infections are spread by indirect contact when germs are transferred, through the hands, from a contaminated object (doorknob, telephones, remote control, cutting board, etc.) to our body.
Because our hands touch many surfaces throughout the day, they are the primary vector for the transfer of germs to our nose, mouth and eyes or to other surfaces that will carry germs to other people.
In order to protect yourself against these risks, good hygiene practices must be adopted and suitable cleaning and disinfecting products must be used, because conventional cleaning will not allow them to be completely eliminated.
In which cases is the risk greater?
Anyone can get an infection, but some people are at greater risk than others.
Babies and young children
At birth, a babies’ immune systems are inoperable, making them particularly vulnerable to infections. The immunisation process begins very quickly (less than 48 hours after birth), but the progression is slow. They are therefore not protected against germs.
Also as they grow up, babies’ curiosity will encourage them to discover the world around them: they will want to see everything, touch everything, smell everything and taste everything. They won’t hesitate to wallow on the living room rug or lick the germ-laden kitchen floor! Babies’ curiosity and lack of “disgust” put them at even more risk of infection.
For these reasons, babies and young children are at risk if the hygiene around them is not satisfactory. Without making cleaning an obsession, certain rules of cleanliness remain essential. Discover all our tips & advice for a healthy environment around baby.
Pregnant women
Early in pregnancy, the immune system is weakened to prevent the body from rejecting the embryo. At the same time, in addition to its own needs, the body will have to meet those of the child to ensure its proper development, which considerably tires the mother-to-be.
This is why pregnant women, even in good health, must be vigilant in order to avoid contracting diseases that could adversely affect the development of their child.
Good personal hygiene and food will allow them to approach this period calmly.
Elderly and/or sick people
Over time, the effectiveness of the immune system diminishes. The human body produces less white blood cells, which protects it less against disease. This explains why the elderly are more sensitive. Sick people are also more vulnerable to certain germs. This is all the more true for chronic or serious illnesses such as diabetes, lung disease, cardiovascular disorders, cancer etc.
We must therefore be careful not to contaminate them if we are sick and to help them, if necessary, maintain a clean environment.
Pets
Pets (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, etc.) are an integral part of everyday life. They live in our homes and sometimes sleep in our beds.
However, domestic animals can be the vector of many pathogens or allergens that can cause more or less serious diseases in humans. This is why the presence of an animal in your home imposes some basic rules of hygiene, which are applicable to the animal itself, to the people around it and to the places where it lives.
