P&G, Health Experts Warn Filipino Moms Against Unexpected Germ Hotspots Calls for better hygiene behavior in the household

Germs are everywhere and are dangerous. Daily, we are greatly exposed to these harmful, microscopic, and often dangerous elements exposing families to great risks especially this summer season when the temperature is expected to reach record high giving way to sickness and heat-caused diseases. 

In response to this, Procter & Gamble (P&G), with the largest lineup of leading brands in consumer packaged goods, launches a campaign to drive awareness and action in fighting germs and bacteria. This summer, P&G targets to educate and empower households, particularly mothers, as they play a key role in ensuring the well-being of everyone in the household.

Dr. Charles Gerba, renowned microbiologist, who has worked with P&G globally, said that 80% of all infections are spread through the environment – from air, water, soil, food, and even common household items.

Home Is Where the Microbes Are

The home, a place where one should feel most safe, is a friendly habitat for fomites. Fomites are objects or substances that are capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another. As we are exposed to different places and people, we are vulnerable to the harmful effects of germs and bacteria we come in contact with that cannot be easily seen and felt. It is alarming to note that 60% of household surfaces are infected with the influenza virus during flu season. Furthermore, the flu virus can survive for 48 hours or more on some surfaces.

The studies from P&G also revealed some interesting findings on places and items where germ levels are at the highest. These include dish sponges, discovered to be the friendliest thriving place of coliforms with the highest amount of these bacteria in relation to matter size; the kitchen, which houses some of the germ hotspots in the house such as the refrigerator with 60% infection rate, microwave (60%) and kitchen faucet (60%). The top germ hotspot inside the home is the phone receiver which has an 80% infection rate. 

However, it is also important to remember that we carry these germs with us everywhere we go. Contaminated and germ-infested clothes are not only unhygienic when worn; they also cause malodor and discoloration. Furthermore, wearing unclean clothes will aggravate skin infections brought about by germs such as pimples and rashes, body odor, itching and other bacterial skin infections.

Normal cleaning tools and practices are not effective in helping reduce the level of germs. Instead, targeted use of disinfectants, and those with antibacterial properties, is recommended because they can reduce the risk of infection by 99.9%.

On The Lookout for Common Summer Diseases

Aside from knowing where to find the hotspots of germs in the house, moms must also be mindful of common weather-related sicknesses. In a tropical country like the Philippines, extreme weather changes can take place and have placed the country on the radar of climate risk watchers.

Exposure to heat causes ailments such as dehydration and heatstroke. Skin infections (such as boils) caused by poor hygiene, and prickly heat (bungang-araw), brought about by extreme heat and humidity, are also weather-related diseases to watch out for during this season. Individuals must also be cautious of food poisoning caused by easily spoilt foods because of the heat.

P&G’s new campaign reflects its commitment to support the Department of Health’s efforts to ensure the health and well-being of the public against the spread of diseases.  The DOH, through the National Epidemiology Center, is actively pursuing research and analysis of the different diseases and other threats to public health and has been aggressively undertaking public communications campaigns.

Protecting Every Household from Germs 24/7

To aid moms in maintaining a safe and germ-free home, P&G shares a few helpful tips that moms can observe in keeping the cleanliness inside their homes:

·      Always prioritize maintaining good hygiene by taking a bath and washing hands, regularly changing clean clothes and using clean towels.

·      Conduct regular cleaning of kitchen sinks to avoid accumulation of leftovers and residue build-up, which can serve as a breeding ground for germs. Also make sure that you clean the microwave, pans, utensils, and other kitchen items even though some of them are not being used regularly.

·      Inside the bathroom, see to it that the cleaning products that you use for your skin are still good to use and not expired. Also make sure that you clean the bathroom sink, floor, walls, faucets, and other surfaces.

·      Make sure that you clean your refrigerator regularly to avoid accumulation of germ build-up.

·      Regularly disinfect the phone receiver as it accumulates the highest number of bacteria that transmits disease-causing germs.

P&G has a strong line-up of Antibac products to aid moms in keeping their households safe and germ-free. Safeguard, P&G’s leading personal care brand, is scientifically proven to remove 99% of germs and provides protection for up to 24 hours. Ariel with the Power of Safeguard has a multiple cleaning system & built in additives for a complete wash. Ariel’s Antibac variant is also proven to remove 99.9% of germs. Joy Antibac dishwashing liquid with the Power of Safeguard is proven to prevent germ and bacteria growth on sponges. Downy Antibac protects fabric from growth of bacteria that can cause malodor.

Clint Navales, Country Communications Leader for P&G Philippines, explains: “P&G is committed to providing moms the best tools to protect their family against the spread of diseases; we have both the industry expertise to educate and inform about germ protection and a line-up of trusted products to make sure that health and safety inside the homes are met. We hope for this campaign to result to both awareness and action and for them to have a clear picture of how to act swiftly and decisively against germs.”

P&G is continuously working to arm Filipino households with the proper information and reliable P&G products to maintain a healthy, clean and germ-free environment, not only this summer but all year-round. It is also important to keep in mind that safety is a good combination of awareness and action. P&G encourages development of good hygiene behaviors to maintain the safety and good sanitation in all households.

P&G Germ Academy Information Sheet

Infectious disease is the leading cause of death in the developing world:

·      Good hygiene has more impact on human health than the development of vaccines.

·      Continued emergence and re-emergence of pathogens through viruses like SARS, MRSA, bird flu, etc.

Germ spots inside the home:

A look at the infection rates for everyday objects inside the home:

·      Phone Receiver – 80%

·      Light Swith – 60%

·      Kitchen Faucet 50%

·      Refrigerator – 60%

·      Microwave – 60%

·      Light Switch – 60%

·      TV Remote – 50%

·      Doorknob – 50%

·      Bath Faucet – 50%

·      Light Switch – 40%

60% of household surfaces are infected with the influenza virus during flu season. Flu viruses can survive for 48 hours or more on some surfaces. Hand-washing reduces transmission but not everyone is vigilant.

80% of all common infections (colds, flu, diarrhea) are spread through the environment (air, water, food, fomites).

Roles of fomites in the transmission of disease:

Fomites are objects that are capable of carrying disease-causing germs.

The forgotten fomites:

·      Phones and Mobile Phones

·      TV Remote Control

·      Computer Keyboard

·      Computer Mouse

·      Sink Taps/ Handles

·      Sponges/ Cleaning Cloth

·      Laundry

Reducing the risk of infections from fomites:

·      Hand-washing

-30%-50% reduction in illness

·      Alcohol gel sanitizers

-30%-50% reduction in absenteeism

·      Disinfection of fomite surfaces

-50% reduction in absenteeism in schools

·      Use of bleach and hot water in laundering

-Reduces risk of transmission

*Most diseases spread through hand contact.

A change in the way people live:

·      More people work in offices than ever before.

·      We travel more often than ever before.

·      We spend less time cleaning than the last generation.

·      We are less clean (ex. laundry practices)

·      We spend more time in public places.

·      We are more mobile and have more electronic equipment (ex. mobile phones, iPods)

·      We share more common surfaces (fomites) than ever before.

Germs and bacteria in clothes:

Sweat is often blamed as the cause of body odor. However, the unpleasant odor occurs only when bacteria, commonly anaerobic bacteria,  found in our clothes degrades the sweat components.

Furthermore, build-up of sweat combined with bacteria results to discoloration of clothes.

Feces in the laundry:

An average pair of underwear contains 0.1 grams of feces. Collectively, the amount of feces found in a whole wash load of underwear can be compared to the size of a peanut.

What can be found in feces?

·      Rotavirus – diarrhea-causing bacteria

·      Adenovirus – virus that causes respiratory infections such as common colds, pneumonia and bronchitis

·      Salmonella – virus that causes typhoid fever and foodborne illness

Aerosols are produced during flushing:

Fecal bacteria and viruses are ejected from the toilet during flushing

The droplets settle out in the restroom contaminating the restroom with fecal microorganisms

Microorganisms and diseases associated with outbreaks in public toilets:

Shigella - Diarrhea

Salmonella - Diarrhea

Hepatitis A Virus - Liver Disease

Norovirus - Vomiting and Diarrhea

Did you know?

It was found out that women’s restrooms have higher levels of fecal coliforms than men’s?

Common improper household cleaning practices:

·      Bleach is a good all-around cleaner

·      Using more soap or detergent leads to more cleaning power

·      Vinegar is a good cleaning alternative

·      Using of laundry soap to wash dishes, sinks, etc.

·      Baking soda used as fabric softener

Common Summer Sickness/ Diseases:

·      Sore eyes

·      Prickly heat

·      Food poisoning

·      Diarrhea

·      Measles and chicken pox

·      Dehydration

What germs can do to your skin:

Skin disease is something serious. Some skin diseases that can be brought about by germs are as follows:

·      Pimples, acnes and facial infections

·      Itching from rashes and prickly heat

·      Athlete’s foot and fungal infections

Summary & conclusion:

•     Germs are everywhere; regularly clean and disinfect different parts of your home to protect your family.

•     Sanitation must start with each individual.

•     Good hygiene is not just about cleaning. Use appropriate cleaning products for germ hotspots in the home.