How To Safely Shower When Recovering from COVID-19 With Household Members

Assessing Your Risk of Exposure When Caring for a COVID-Positive Person

Getting diagnosed with COVID-19 can be scary and stressful. In addition to caring for yourself, you may be concerned about inadvertently transmitting the virus to caregivers through routine activities like using the bathroom or taking a shower.

Understanding Viral Shedding

COVID-19 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets that infected individuals expel by coughing, sneezing or even talking in close quarters with someone. However, emerging research shows that viral RNA particles can also be detected in stool and urine samples, leading to questions around fecal-oral or urinary-oral transmission.

The overall risk is considered low, but merits caution when using shared facilities like a bathroom or shower space.

Risk Level Depends on Symptoms and Severity

According to the CDC, the duration of COVID-19 infectiousness or viral shedding can vary:

• Asymptomatic cases 5-10 days from positive test
• Mild to moderate illness 10 days from symptom onset
• Severe illness Up to 20 days from onset of symptoms

This means an infected person taking a shower could theoretically shed virus through respiratory secretions, fecal matter or urine for up to 20 days in severe cases.

Protective Measures for Caregiver and Patient

If you are the primary caregiver for a household member with COVID-19, here are guidelines to follow when assisting with bathing to prevent transmission.

General Precautions

The caregiver should:

• Be up-to-date on COVID vaccinations to reduce risk of serious illness if exposed
• Don gloves, mask, face shield and gown or coveralls when interacting with the patient or handling laundry
• Ask patient to wear a surgical mask as much as possible

Preparing the Bathroom

To make the bathroom safer for use:

• Disinfect all high-touch surfaces like faucets, handles, toilet seat
• Ensure good ventilation by opening windows and turning on vent fan
• Place a plastic bag lined trash can with lid near the toilet

During & After Showering

The patient should:

• Wear mask during entire process
• Shower independently if possible or with minimal assistance
• Use separate bath towels that no one else shares

The caregiver should:

• Wait outside the bathroom when possible while maintaining verbal contact
• Assist from 6 feet away if patient needs help
• Let bathroom air out for 30 minutes before sanitizing surfaces

Containing Potential Infectious Waste

While risk is low, it is prudent for COVID-positive individuals and caregivers to treat bodily excretions with appropriate precautions.

Toilet Use Strategies

Recommend patient to:

• Close lid completely before flushing toilet to prevent aerosol spread
• Line the toilet bowl with disposable puppy pads to contain waste
• Double bag waste like vomit before carefully discarding in trash

Cleaning Reusable Items

The caregiver should:

• Use disposable gloves when handling soiled laundry and towels
• Wash items separately with hot water and laundry sanitizer
• Clean shower chairs, stools, handles with EPA approved disinfectant after each use

Isolation Protocols for Shared Living Spaces

If you have a single bathroom that must be used by both caregiver and infected individual, here are some dos and donts:

Dont

• Allow simultaneous use of bathroom by multiple people
• Share personal items like toothbrushes, combs, makeup

Do

• Wait as long as possible after patient use before entering
• Keep the patient separated in their own room besides bath usage
• Use EPA approved disinfectants multiple times a day in bathroom

For additional protection, the caregiver may wish to use a separate bath facility altogether if one is available elsewhere in or outside the home.

When to Return to Normal Use Post-Illness

The CDC provides the following guidance on discontinuing isolation precautions with COVID-positive individuals:

• At least 10 days from symptom onset AND
• At least 24 hours fever-free without fever reducing medication AND
• Other symptoms like cough improving

However, patients with severe illness likely require longer isolation: 15-20 days. Only upon meeting these criteria can a previously positive patient resume normal shared living conditions and use common spaces like bathrooms alongside other household members.

Gradual Transition is Key

Some additional tips include:

• Wearing a mask for the first several days back
• Decontaminating bathroom before broader use
• Using separate bath linens indefinitely as precaution

With proper isolation protocols and hygiene practices, caregivers can safely assist those recovering from COVID-19 without undue personal risk of infection.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.