Please read our helpful information concerning common viruses, bacteria and infectious diseases, as well as the symptoms and transmission.
ITS Environmental Services is a leading expert in the disinfection of viruses & bacteria that cause infectious diseases. We provide emergency commercial and residential disinfecting services throughout New York, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are in need of disinfection services for Coronavirus COVID-19, or any viral or bacterial disease, please contact us for a free inspection and no-obligation estimate. We are here to help you and your employees get back to business safely and help keep you and your family safe too. For more information about Coronavirus COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, please see our resources pages, which include information from the CDC, NYS and our disinfection protocol.
A virus is a small infectious organism—much smaller than a fungus or bacterium—that must invade a living cell to reproduce (replicate). The virus attaches to a cell (called the host cell), enters it, and releases its DNA or RNA inside the cell. The virus’s DNA or RNA is the genetic material containing the information needed to make copies of (replicate) the virus. The virus’s genetic material takes control of the cell and forces it to replicate the virus. The infected cell usually dies because the virus keeps it from performing its normal functions. When it dies, the cell releases new viruses, which go on to infect other cells.
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. There are thousands of different kinds, and they live in every conceivable environment all over the world. They live in soil, seawater, and deep within the earth’s crust. Some bacteria have been reported even to live in radioactive waste. Many bacteria live in the bodies of people and animals—on the skin and in the airways, mouth, and digestive, reproductive, and urinary tracts—without causing any harm. Such bacteria are called resident flora, or the microbiome. Many resident flora are actually helpful to people—for example by helping them digest food or by preventing the growth of other, more dangerous bacteria. Only a few kinds of bacteria cause disease. They are called pathogens. Sometimes bacteria that normally reside harmlessly in the body cause disease. Bacteria can cause disease by producing harmful substances (toxins), invading tissues, or doing both.
MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics. In the general community, MRSA most often causes skin infections.In some cases, it causes pneumonia (lung infection) and other issues.If left untreated, MRSA infections can become severe and cause sepsis-a life-threatening reaction to severe infection in the body.
C-diff – Clostridium difficileis shed in feces. Any surface, device, or material (e.g., toilets, bathing tubs, and electronic rectal thermometers) that becomes contaminated with feces may serve as a reservoir for the Clostridium difficilespores. Clostridium difficilespores are transferred to patients mainly via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item.
Listeria – Listeriosis is usually acquired through foodborne transmission, except for fetal and neonatal infection, which is usually acquired in utero. Cutaneous infections have been reported very rarely among veterinarians and farmers following direct animal contact, particularly involving livestock products of conception.
Hepatitis – Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis but a virus often causes hepatitis. What is the difference between hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C?Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are liver infections caused by three different viruses. Although each can cause similar symptoms, they have different modes of transmission and can affect the liver differently. Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection and does not become chronic. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also begin as short-term, acute infections, but in some people, the virus remains in the body, resulting in chronic disease and long-term liver problems. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B; however, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. You can get it from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed. This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up. These symptoms can be serious for some people, especially young children and older adults.
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings. In the United States, Histoplasma mainly lives in the central and eastern states, especially areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. The fungus also lives in parts of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.People can get histoplasmosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air. Although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick, those who do may have a fever, cough, and fatigue. Many people who get histoplasmosis will get better on their own without medication, but in some people, such as those who have weakened immune systems, the infection can become severe.
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV); and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronavirus is an RNA based enveloped virus. Enveloped viruses contain a lipid membrane on the cell wall which adheres to the host cell in order to proliferate. This being the case, the cell wall is easily penetrable to most common disinfectants. Common EPA approved disinfectant makeup can be Quaternary Amonium Compounds, Phenolic Based products and Hydrogen based formulas.
For over 10 years, ITS Environmental Services has been providing commercial and residential disinfection and bioremediation services to the New York and Tri-State areas. With certifications in environmental infection control remediation and trauma scene cleanup, our team thoroughly eradicates viruses and bacteria in homes, apartment buildings, offices, medical facilities, restaurants, schools and universities, entertainment arenas, warehouses and more. ATP testing will provide you with quantifiable results, confirming that your space is safe for both your employees and customers. Combined with the application of post disinfection surface protectors, your business can remain safe for up to 90 days. With more than 2,000,000 square feet of disinfection, ITS Environmental Services is the clear choice to keep your business protected.
CEICR Certified
ITS Environmental Services owner is one of only a small number of people that have been awarded the Council-certified Environmental Infection Control Remediator (CEICR) designation by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). This prestigious, board-awarded certification recognizes one’s knowledge and field experience in remediating building related infection control issues. To earn the CEICR designation, a person must pass a rigorous examination based on respected industry texts and then submit documented, verifiable field experience to a board of peers, earning a unanimous vote of approval. The CEICR designation is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB).
If you are in need of commercial or residential disinfection services for Coronavirus COVID-19, or any viral or bacterial disease, please contact us for a FREE inspection and no-obligation estimate. We are here to help you and your employees get back to business safely and help keep you and your family safe too. For more information about Coronavirus COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, please see our resources pages, which include information from the CDC, NYS and our disinfection protocol. We will continue to provide the most up to date information as quickly as possible.
At ITS Environmental Services, the safety of our customers is our number one priority. Information is vital when it comes to protecting your family, loved ones and your employees. In addition to our resource pages concerning Coronavirus COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, we have also included information and resources regarding various natural and environmental disasters. Please visit each of our resource pages located in the top menu bar for more information and continuous updates.
Emergency Response
Our certified and highly experienced emergency response team is trained in the procedures necessary to ensure a safe, professional, and compliant disinfection operation. Call us today for emergency disinfection response.