Decontaminating from Pertussis

[danipoppins]

Now that my kids aren't contagious anymore (according to the CDC), I was wondering what I should do to decontaminate the house. Normally, I probably would just let it go and figure everyone's been exposed, we're good. But, I'm pregnant and want to make sure those buggies are evicted before the wee one arrives (not until Jan). I'm sure I'm being slightly overzealous.

I was planning on washing sheets and flipping mattresses, but do I need to wipe down their beds, get new pillows, etc? How long do the little buggers live on surfaces?

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by danipoppins

Now that my kids aren't contagious anymore (according to the CDC), I was wondering what I should do to decontaminate the house. Normally, I probably would just let it go and figure everyone's been exposed, we're good. But, I'm pregnant and want to make sure those buggies are evicted before the wee one arrives (not until Jan). I'm sure I'm being slightly overzealous.

I was planning on washing sheets and flipping mattresses, but do I need to wipe down their beds, get new pillows, etc? How long do the little buggers live on surfaces?

you have all been living in the house. You have all been exposed already. Getting new pillows etc at this point would kind of be pointless. B pertussis survives on hard inanimate surfaces for 3-5 days.

[weliveintheforest]

I think washing all the linens is probably enough. You could wash the door knobs and phones and things that collect germs, but I don't think pertussis hangs around too much.

[danipoppins]

Thanks ladies - that's what a figured, but I just wanted to consult some other folks to be sure.

[Marnica]

double post