Contenido:

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

Isolation

This is the separation, from the other members of the crew, of one or several crewmembers that have a contagious illness, with the exception of the person treating them. They are kept in an adequate place under adequate conditions to try to stopp the propagation of an infection, until it is no longer deemed dangerous. This refers to sick people and should be done until the patient is no longer contagious.

Isolation may be:

1. Absolute or strict. This is aimed at highly contagious illnesses. The patient should be confined to the infirmary or in a cabin reserved for their exclusive use in a quiet area of the ship.
   
   If disposable eating and drinking utensils are available, these should be used and disposed of afterwards. If they have to use the ship's cutlery and plates, they should be washed and sterilized (by boiling for 20 minutes) after use and kept in the cabin or infirmary. They should never be washed with the utensils used by other crew members.
   
   All towels and bed clothing should be boiled and disinfected. Urine and faeces should be disposed of in bedpans (DRAWER 15, medicine kit A). The people responsible for assisting the sick person should wear disposable gloves (DRAWER 14, medicine kit A) to handle the containers, taking care not to spill the contents. Bedpans should be boiled after use. In the port, the faeces and urine should not be disposed of down the toilet, but disinfected and eliminated under the conditions determined by the port's health authority. It is important to dispose of used syringes and needles in the correct manner: replace the cover of the needle while it is still connected to the syringe, place the needle in an empty drink can and keep it in a tightly sealed plastic bag with the syringe. Disposable gloves should be discarded in the same way.
   


2. Respiratory. For those illnesses transmitted in this way it is essential that the cabin or infirmary has good ventilation. Respiratory infections spread through the air in clouds of droplets expelled when coughing or sneezing. It is, therefore, advisable that these patients use a handkerchief to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (See figure).
   
   
   
   Picture 11-1.
   
   
   
3. Enteric. For those illnesses transmitted from faeces to mouth (diarrhoea). The most common means of transmission of these illnesses is through the hands and the contaminated objects they touch (towels, cutlery, etc.). It is essential to frequently wash the hands (always after going to the toilet) as well as the objects used.
   


4. Illnesses transmitted by vectors (those in which certain animals act as vehicles of transmission). This requires rat and insect proof premises, with metallic mesh curtains on windows, use of insecticides etc.