Many infectious diseases like covid-19, influenza, rabies, and ebola begin by jumping from vertebrates to humans. The threat of catching diseases like these is real and ever-present, whether from humans or animals. 

Strong standards of cleanliness and sanitation help to prevent the spread of illnesses like those previously mentioned. Protecting yourself also involves educating and equipping yourself with high-quality medical-grade infection control equipment like the following:

Masks

FDA-approved and labeled medical masks are designed to prevent droplets, sprays, splatter from entering your mouth or nose. They come in a variety of thicknesses and are designed to be used only once.

The masks are not foolproof but do offer a high level of protection if used properly. Should the mask become damaged, remove it carefully and place it inside a sealed bag for disposal.

Don't forget to wash your hands after handling a used mask.

Medical Grade Gloves

All approved medical gloves are designed to be disposable. If you must touch the remains, secretions, or bodily fluids of a human or animal, you should always wear gloves. Also, make sure to change your gloves between each interaction with an animal or person.

Gloves are made from a variety of materials, but the most common by far is latex. Some people are allergic to latex, however. If you or your patient has this allergy, make sure to get gloves that are made from nitrile or PVC.

Like masks, gloves should never be reused or shared. Also, if a glove tears, it should always be discarded and replaced.

Face Shields

Face shields may or may not come with FDA-approved masks. However, all face shields are designed to prevent splatter and droplets from landing in your eyes or on your face. The non-disposable varieties of face shields can be used more than once, provided that their functionality hasn't been compromised.

Gowns

Gowns have two purposes. The first is to keep potentially contagious particles from landing on the wearer's skin or clothing. The second purpose is to prevent anything that may have inadvertently landed on the gown from being transferred to the patient for whom the wearer is caring.

There are four classifications of medical gowns, from minimal risk (general care) to high risk (surgery and fluid-intense procedures).

Final Thoughts

The recent global pandemic has reminded us of how real the dangers of zoonotic disease are. Whether your sphere is medical, veterinary, or something else, proper PPE's are essential to effective infection control.

For more information, contact a supplier of infection control products.