Cystic fibrosis and hygiene at home

Question

Hello,
I am the grandmother of a 1-year-old CF little boy. When he visits my home, what precautions should I respect so he is not in touch with Pseudomonas aeruginosa? How to clean (bleach or Sanytol or equivalent) and where?
Is it necessary to eliminate all flowerpots?
Can he go to the garden? Thank you for your help.

Answer

Hello,
Although there are no official recommendations of hygiene at home to prevent contaminations, it is nevertheless possible to limit the risks of transmission by simple measures.
Still, a contamination always remains possible and unpredictable even if the sanitary conditions are gathered. In this case, no one should feel guilty.
Knowing places and situations most at risk in the house and the environment allows measures to reduce the risks of germs transmission.
In the absence of study proving that such specific measure would prevent the bacterial contamination in cystic fibrosis, here are general advices of basic hygiene which we give to parents of young CF children.
The objective is to limit the stagnating wet circles and germs reservoirs. The following classification creates 4 types of risks of contamination.
Reservoirs are the wet sites of the house: siphons, toilet pans, kitchen sinks, dish drainers …
Cleaning objects that can spread germs are: sponges, floor cloths, gloves and hand towels, cloths and brushes. Permanently wet, they favor the microbial development.
Surfaces in touch with hands or with food are: handles, toilet seat, bathtub, telephones, keyboards and computer mouse, table tops in the kitchen and refrigerator …
Other surfaces (grounds, carpet, furniture) are less exposed to contamination. Cleaning at regular intervals allows to limit microbial development.

Here are some practical modalities of hygiene:

In the house:
o Open the windows in each room, 10 mn a day.
o For the cleaning of surfaces, prefer dish mops (washable at 60°C) than sponges
o Add some drops of bleach in vases (muds), and place them high so that your grand son cannot reach them (idem for plants in jar)
o Wash regularly his security blanket (or best cuddy toy)
o Do not smoke either in the house or near your child

In the bathroom:
o Use liquid soap.
o Put the toothbrush head at the top after having shaken the remaining water on hairs, change it every month
o Have toilet linen separate for each person in the house, and change them every day or use a towel dryer
o In the bathtub, use toys which do not retain water inside
o Clean the faucet factory, the washbasin, the bathtub regularly with the cream cleaner, rinse and disinfect with bleach once a week


Dont forget: " We disinfect well only what is clean "

In toilets
o Get used to pull down the toilet lid before flushing the toilet.
o Clean regularly with detergent, rinse then disinfect with bleach, twice a week.

In the kitchen:
o For surfaces and kitchen sinks, act as in the bathroom.
o Dry wiper and dishcloths between 2 uses and change them several times a week
o Clean and disinfect the refrigerator with bleach every month
o Clean filters and joints of the dishwasher once a week


Particular points:
o Take away your child in case of works of demolition, during changes of covers grounds and walls and at when mowing the lawn because of the risk of contamination with aspergillus spores
o Aerate rooms and wash surfaces at the end of construction site
o If you have a cold, use paper tissues and throw them after use. Wash your hands with soap or use hydro-alcoholic products. Avoid, for a while, close contact with your child

The swimming pool:
o Check that the swimming pool where you go is regularly controlled at the bacteriological level
o It is simply recommended that your child cross quickly in the footbath and take a brief shower before entering to the swimming pool
o Avoid absolutely baths with bubbles and Jacuzzis
o Empty and dry any plastic children swimming pools after every use
o Swimming in the sea does not present risk


In domestic hygiene it is important to respect the fundamental: washing hands, knowledge of places at risk and good practices of cleaning and disinfection. Everyday life hygiene is essential but should not become an obsession.
For any particular question, you should ask your CRCM.

Reference: synthesis of domestic hygiene recommendations. CRCM ROSCOFF (2010).
Best wishes with your grand son,
Yann Kerneur

24.03.2011