Infectious agents are microorganisms, prions, and human internal parasites that may cause infections in humans. Most infectious diseases have only minor complications. But some infections — such as pneumonia, AIDS and meningitis — can become life-threatening.
A few types of infections have been linked to a long-term increased risk of cancer. Human papillomavirus is linked to cervical cancer. Helicobacter pylori is linked to stomach cancer and peptic ulcers. Hepatitis B and C have been linked to liver cancer.
Good Hygiene
The first line of defence is to keep germs at bay by following good personal hygiene habits. Prevent infection before it begins and avoid spreading it to others with these easy measures.
Wash your hands well. You should also wash up after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; feeding or stroking your pet.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, then dispose of it. If no tissue is handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than into your hands.
Wash and bandage all cuts. Any serious cut or animal or human bite should be examined by a doctor. Do not pick at healing wounds or blemishes, or squeeze pimples.
Don't share dishes, glasses, or eating utensils. Avoid direct contact with napkins, tissues, handkerchiefs, or similar items used by others.
Practice Good Food-safety Techniques
Although most cases of food-borne infection are not dangerous, some can lead to serious medical conditions, including kidney failure and meningitis. You can prevent infections by food-borne pathogens in your household by preparing and storing foods safely. Rinse all meat, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables under running water before cooking or serving them. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you handle raw meat. Separate raw foods and cooked foods. Don't use the same utensils or cutting boards with cooked meat that were used to prepare the raw meat without washing between uses. Cook foods thoroughly. Cook fish until it is opaque. Defrost foods only in the refrigerator or in the microwave.
Vaccination
An effective vaccine protects an inpidual against a specific infectious disease and its various complications. The efficacy of a vaccine is measured by its capacity to reduce the overall frequency of new infections, and to reduce major complications, such as serious tissue damage and death.
Booster doses of some vaccines are required to maintain protection. By preventing infection, vaccines can also prevent long-term complications associated with chronic infections, where the pathogen persists in the body after the initial infection has passed. Persistent viral infections can also lead to late complications, including cancer and shingles. Immunization currently prevents 2-3 million deaths every year.
Vaccines can control, eliminate and eradicate diseases. When a large proportion of a community is immunised, it can lead to a situation where there are very low levels of the disease in that population. This is referred to as control of the disease.
Even more effective and prolonged vaccination programs can result in interruption of transmission in the population for long enough to ensure that there is no residual disease— elimination of disease.
Whether you are young or young at heart, getting vaccinated is an essential part of staying healthy. Many serious infections can be prevented by immunization.
Children should receive the recommended childhood vaccinations. Adults should make sure their vaccinations are up to date. When traveling abroad, check with your health care provider about additional immunizations.
Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date, too. In addition to protecting your pet, this will also protect you and your family.
Travel Precautions
If you are planning a trip, ask your doctor if you need any immunizations. Discuss your travel plans with your physician at least three months before you leave.
If you are traveling to an area where insect-borne disease is present, take and use an insect repellent containing DEET( N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide ,or diethyltoluamide). DEET( is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. In many tropical regions, mosquitoes can carry malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, or other serious infections.
Avoid getting any unnecessary shots, immunizations, or tattoos abroad. Needles and syringes (even the disposable ones) are reused in some parts of the world.
Do not consume ice while traveling. Freezing does not kill all water-borne infectious microbes.
Drink only bottled drinks—such as soft drinks or bottled water—that have secure caps. Be aware that some fruit juices may be made with impure local water.
Boil all tap water before drinking or drink only bottled water; use bottled or boiled water to brush your teeth.
Do not eat uncooked vegetables, including lettuce; do not eat fruit you haven't peeled yourself. Do not consume dairy products (milk may not be pasteurized).
Avoiding Bug-borne Pathogens
Both mosquitos and ticks are carriers of viruses and bacteria. And both have been associated with serious epidemics.
Tropical diseases pose a threat if the mosquitoes that carry them hitch a ride in boats or expand their range. Ticks are widespread and can transmit a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease and many others. They live in grassy and brushy areas and are most prevalent during wet seasons. A common hiding place is in wet leaves. They often infest animals, including field mice and deer. And they may be transported into your home by your pets.
To prevent infections from bug bites: use insect repellents as those containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. If mosquitoes are biting you, reapply the repellent. Limit outdoor activity during peak mosquito hours of early morning and evening. Drain any standing water near your home to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Check your neighborhood and pick up trash, discarded cans, bottles, and other containers that can contain enough water to allow mosquitoes to breed.
If you plan to spend time in an area where ticks are common, wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be spotted and removed before they attach. Check your clothing and body for ticks. Check your pet before allowing it indoors.
If a tick has attached itself to you or your pet, grasp it firmly with tweezers close to the tick's mouth and pull steadily. Cleanse the area of the tick bite thoroughly with antiseptic. Watch the area closely for a couple of weeks for signs of rash or swelling.
Using Animal-control to Prevent Infections
Controlling the population of mice or rats in and near your home can help you avoid pathogens spread by rodents and also help control the population of ticks that spread disease. Rodents can harbor a number of pathogens, including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, leptospirosis, plague, and hantavirus.
Keep food and garbage in covered, rodent-proof containers. Seal holes and cracks in your home to deter rodent access. Clear brush and junk away from the foundation of your home.
Do not stir up dust in rodent-infested areas. Instead, wet-mop or sponge the area and treat with disinfectant. When outdoors, do not disturb rodent burrows or handle rodents. If your rodent problem is severe or persistent, consult a pest control expert.
Wild animals can also transmit rabies and other infections. Many wild animals can spread rabies to humans by biting. Keep your pets away from wild animals, too. Dogs, cats, or any other type of warm-blooded animal can pick up rabies from wild animals and pass rabies along to people.
How to Prevent Infections by Sexual Transmission
More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide. Each year, there are an estimated 376 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis . The majority of STIs have no symptoms or only mild symptoms that may not be recognized as an STI.
More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Eight of these pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of sexually transmitted disease. Of these 8 infections, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are viral infections which are incurable: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus, HIV, and human papillomavirus.
The only sure way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is to not have sexual intercourse or other sexual contacts. Monogamy is the practice of having marriage (a sexual relationship) with only one person at a time. In general, it means committing to one person emotionally, romantically, and sexually. Monogamy is one of the best ways to prevent or lower the risk of exposure to STI.
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