CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

As winter sets in, Canadians are bracing for the annual, and seemingly inevitable, cold and flu season. Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses, ranging from mild and manageable to serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

Cold, flu – what’s the difference?

Influenza (flu) and the common cold are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Flu and colds have similar symptoms, but the difference is in the severity of illness. Flu symptoms begin abruptly and tend to be more intense. Cold symptoms can come on gradually, are milder, and generally do not result in serious health problems. Flu can have serious associated complications.

Colds

• Caused by: Around half of all colds are caused by one of the more than 100 types of rhinovirus. Seasonal coronaviruses (which differ from SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), influenza and parainfluenza viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) can also cause colds.
• Spread by: Person-to-person or surface contact transmission.
• Symptoms include: runny or stuffy nose; mild to moderate cough; rarely: fever, headache, fatigue 
• Complications: Rare, although a cold may exacerbate asthma or chronic bronchitis. Sinus and ear infections may result from the cold virus or a bacterial infection.

Flu

• Caused by: There are two main types of human flu viruses behind seasonal flu epidemics, types A and B. Influenza A viruses can be broken down into sub-types depending on the genes that make up the surface proteins. Over the course of a flu season, different types (A and B) and subtypes (Influenza A) of flu circulate. Influenza A causes more severe illness than influenza B. 
• Spread by: Airborne droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk; also by surface contact transmission. People with flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of illness, but flu can be spread 1 day before symptoms develop and up to a week after.
• Symptoms include: Fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue.
• Complications: Sinus and ear infections; pneumonia resulting from either flu virus infection alone or co-infection with bacteria; serious and potentially life-threatening complications can be triggered in the heart, brain, muscle tissues and multi-organ failure. People age ≥65 years, those with chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease), women who are pregnant and children under age 5 are at higher risk of complications. 

Prevention and reduction: Best practices for cold and flu season

Whether in healthcare facilities, businesses, schools or at home, not one of us is without personal experience with the ease with which respiratory viruses spread – and the impact they can have on day-to-day living. 

Everyday preventive actions to the reduce the spread of cold and flu include frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected people, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and use of surface disinfectants in a contaminated environment.

While close contact with a person who has a cold or flu virus is the most common way they spread, viruses that land on a surface or object may be able to infect someone for several hours to days. Cold germs can remain infective for 2 hours to 7 days, and the influenza virus can persist for 2 hours to up to 7 days on hard surfaces. Viruses typically live longer on stainless steel, plastic and other nonporous surfaces than on fabric, tissue and other porous surfaces. By consistently following protocols with appropriate disinfectants, the impact of “Cold and Flu 2024-25” may be lessened. 

Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC) recommends the following Routine Practices in healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities:

• Hand hygiene (handwashing, alcohol-based hand rub) before and after all patient contact.
• Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, eye protection). 
• Disinfection of all equipment which is shared between patients.
• Cleaning/disinfection of all patient contact surfaces after patient leaves an examining room or area.

During an outbreak there may be a requirement for additional or enhanced environmental cleaning of a healthcare setting to stop the spread. Correct techniques for the management of cleaner/disinfectants, mops, cloths, cleaning equipment, process for cleaning rooms, and frequency of environmental cleaning are key.

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to kill the viruses that cause colds and flu is essential throughout cold and flu season. The best time to take preventive measures is before the season is in full swing. Remember: your best defense is a good offense!

Cold and flu viruses don’t have to win! For effective prevention, choose CloroxPro™

The following CloroxPro™ cleaner disinfectants have demonstrated effectiveness against cold and flu viruses on hard, nonporous surfaces when used according to directions. 

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02466031) 

Attack multiple surfaces with this bleach-free disinfecting product in a convenient ready-to-use wipe. Great for high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces.

• Cleans and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on hard, nonporous surfaces.
• Kills cold and flu viruses, Staph, Strep, E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.
• Proven to kill COVID-19 virus in 15 seconds.
• Safe for use on hard, nonporous surfaces such as finished wood, sealed granite, stainless steel, mirrors and glass.

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner (Spray) (DIN: 02542528) 

A lactic acid-based disinfectant that is made from naturally derived plant-based active ingredients, and formulated without bleach, alcohol or ammonia.

• Kills 17 pathogens in 30 seconds to 2 minutes.  
• Kills 99.9% of flu viruses (Influenza A virus, RSV) and the COVID-19 virus in 30 seconds.
• Sanitizes 5 bacteria in 15 seconds.
• Cleans and disinfects without harming most surfaces, with no lingering chemical smell.

New! Available December 2024

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Wipes

• Made from a plant-based active ingredient.
• Made from 100% plant-based cloth.

Learn more about being ready for cold and flu season and CloroxPro™ products that can help safeguard your space.

Interested in speaking to a representative about customized solutions and a free demo and training? Contact us today.