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Infection Control Guide for Family Members of Patients with Suspect or Confirmed Cholera

  • Drink and use safe water
  • Cook food thoroughly
  • Wash hands with soap and safe water after caring for the patients, and especially after
    handling fecal matter
  • Remove and wash any bedding or clothing that may have had contact with diarrheal
    stool, preferably in a washing machine, in warm or hot water. Usual machine detergents
    are sufficient; bleach is not necessary.
  • Use a flush toilet or approved septic system; double bag soiled materials when discarding
    in trash.
  • Use any household disinfectant or a 1:10 dilution of bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9
    parts water) to clean any area that may have contact with fecal matter, including the
    patient’s bathroom, bedpan, as soon as possible after being soiled.
  • When possible, use rubber gloves when cleaning any room or surface that may have had
    contact with the patient’s fecal matter.
  • Patients with cholera should not swim while ill with diarrhea or for 2 weeks after
    resolution of symptoms.
  • If a household member develops acute, watery diarrhea, administer oral rehydration
    solution (ORS) and seek healthcare immediately
  • While caring for persons who are ill with cholera, do not serve food or drink to persons
    who are not household members
  • Visitors can be allowed if the ill person wants company; visitors should also observe
    hand hygiene recommendations
 
Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
    24 Hours/Every Day
  • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
  • Page last reviewed: December 2, 2010
  • Page last updated: December 2, 2010
  • Content source: Global Health
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