How to Prevent Infections

Infections can vary in severity, from mild to life-threatening cases. They can affect the skin, blood, organs, or the gastrointestinal tract. The number of people affected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasing each year, as are the fatalities caused by infectious diseases. Therefore, learning how to prevent infections is essential. If you suspect you have an infection, it's crucial to seek medical care immediately. However, you can reduce the risk of infection through simple measures and by changing a few daily habits.

Wash your hands frequently. Handwashing is a vital step to prevent the spread of bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, and wash them multiple times throughout the day. Other key moments to wash your hands include:

• Before and after preparing food
• Before and after taking care of a sick person
• Before and after treating a wound
• After using the restroom and changing diapers
• After handling trash
• After touching animals, feeding them, or cleaning up after them

Wash hands properly. The correct handwashing technique ensures that your hands are as clean as possible. Use antibacterial soap and warm water to wash your hands.

• Wet your hands and rub soap into them. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. This helps kill any bacteria on your hands.
• Make sure to clean under your nails and between your fingers.
• Then, rinse the soap off under warm running water and dry your hands with a clean towel.
• If you want to time yourself, you can sing the “Happy Birthday” song from start to finish twice, which lasts for 20 seconds.

Clean commonly touched items at home and the office. You can reduce the number of bacteria in your environment by keeping objects clean. Items frequently touched by many people, like phones, doorknobs, bathtubs, and toilet flush handles, should be disinfected. Wipe these items down weekly with a disinfectant solution.

Avoid people who appear to be sick. It's hard to know if someone is just suffering from a common cold or something more serious. Therefore, it's best to stay away from anyone who looks unwell. Avoid close contact with people who have visible infections, the flu, or anyone who tells you they have a contagious illness.

Learn about harmful gut bacteria. Many types of bacteria live in the intestines, causing illnesses ranging from mild to life-threatening. These bacteria include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella, e. coli, listeria, and botulism. Each type causes a distinct set of symptoms that a doctor can diagnose and treat, but prevention remains the best course of action.

Pay attention to food and water recall notices. Sometimes, water and food can become contaminated, so it's important to stay informed to avoid consuming contaminated items.

• Keep up with local news to know if the water source has been contaminated. If the water is unsafe, buy bottled water for drinking and cooking, and limit bathing until the water is safe again.
• Be alert to food recall announcements. Contamination is a common issue, so listening to notifications is essential. If a certain food product is being recalled, dispose of it and seek medical help if you consumed it before the recall was announced.

Keep your hands clean when preparing food. Washing your hands is a crucial step in preventing infections inside and outside the kitchen. Always wash your hands before and after handling food. It's especially important to wash thoroughly after using the restroom and changing diapers, as well as before you start cooking.

Wash and cook food thoroughly. Proper washing and cooking of food can help prevent harmful bacteria from entering your body. Washing fruits and vegetables before eating, and cooking animal products thoroughly, can eliminate any harmful bacteria that may be present.

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs.
• Prevent cross-contamination by not using the same containers for raw meat or eggs and for fruits or vegetables unless they've been washed. Make sure to thoroughly clean the sink, cutting boards, and countertops after use, as these surfaces are often responsible for cross-contamination.

Prevent foodborne botulism poisoning. Don’t eat food that has a rancid smell or canned goods that are bulging. These are signs of botulism, a very dangerous bacterium. If it enters the body, botulism can be fatal. This bacterium is commonly associated with low-acid canned foods like asparagus, green beans, beets, and corn. Follow strict guidelines when canning food at home.

• Do not give honey to children under 12 months of age. Honey contains a strain of bacteria known to cause botulism in infants.

Implement measures to reduce the risk of developing vaginitis. Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina and/or vulva, often caused by bacteria, viruses, or irritating chemicals in products like creams, soaps, and lotions. The most common bacteria involved in vaginitis come from the body's natural vaginal flora, which can grow excessively. To reduce the risk of developing vaginitis, consider taking these steps:

• Avoid douching. Douching alters the pH of the vaginal environment and increases the risk of bacterial infections.
• Engage in sexual activity with only one partner. Multiple sexual partners can elevate the likelihood of vaginal infections.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of vaginal infections.

Prevent throat infections. Throat infections, also known as pharyngitis, are inflammation and bacterial infections in the throat or pharynx. You can follow some steps to reduce the risk of contracting a throat infection. These include:

• Wash hands after being in crowded places or near individuals with upper respiratory infections.
• Wash hands after blowing your nose or taking care of a child with a runny nose and/or sore throat.
• Avoid sharing eating utensils with anyone who has a sore throat. Separate and disinfect their utensils with soap and hot water.
• Clean toys of children with throat infections using soap and hot water, then let them dry completely.
• Dispose of tissues immediately after use.
• Avoid kissing or sharing utensils with someone suffering from the flu, cold, mono, or infections.
• Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.
• Use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
• Wearing a scarf around your neck during cold months can help maintain body temperature and create an unfavorable environment for virus and bacteria growth.

Reduce the risk of developing pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs, caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This serious condition can be fatal. Certain individuals are at higher risk for pneumonia and should take extra precautions. Be especially careful if you:

• Smoke tobacco or other smoking products.
• Recently suffered from upper respiratory illnesses like the flu, cold, or laryngitis.
• Have swallowing disorders caused by conditions such as stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's disease.
• Have chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
• Suffer from severe conditions such as heart disease, cirrhosis, or diabetes.
• Recently had surgery or sustained an injury.
• Have a weakened immune system due to underlying illnesses or medications.

Take every precaution to reduce the risk of developing pneumonia. If you are at risk of developing pneumonia, it is crucial to take all necessary steps to protect yourself. Preventative measures for pneumonia include:

• Get the annual flu vaccine.
• Get the pneumococcal vaccine if you are an adult at high risk.
• Quit smoking, especially tobacco products.
• Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, using the restroom, caring for sick individuals, or before eating and preparing food.
• Avoid touching your face and nose.
• Avoid aspiration pneumonia by not eating in a reclining position and never force-feed people in a non-upright position.
• Maintain overall health, as pneumonia can follow other upper respiratory infections.

Reduce the risk of middle ear infections in children. Children are more prone to ear infections, which can be painful and lead to further health problems. To minimize the risk of middle ear infections, consider these tips:

• Avoid smoking inside and near children. Ear infections are more common in children exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Breastfeed infants when possible. Breastfeeding strengthens the child's immune system and reduces ear infection risk.
• Never allow infants to drink from a bottle while lying down. Due to the structure of the ear and middle ear canal, lying down while drinking significantly increases the risk of ear infections.
• Avoid exposing children to sick children. Keep children clean and wash their hands frequently, as they tend to put their hands in their mouths.

Maintain hygiene to prevent external ear infections. External ear infections are caused by bacteria in the ear canal, often due to water trapped inside the ear, which creates a warm, moist environment ideal for bacterial growth. This condition is also referred to as acute otitis externa. To reduce the risk of developing an outer ear infection, you should:

• Dry your ears after swimming or showering.
• Use a soft towel to dry the outer ear, tilting your head from side to side to allow water to drain.
• Use a hairdryer on the lowest setting, keeping it at least 30 cm from the ear to dry the ear canal.
• Never insert foreign objects such as cotton swabs, paper clips, or hairpins into your ears.
• Use cotton balls to protect your ears when applying irritants like hairspray or dye.

Protect yourself from bacterial meningitis. Bacterial infections can also affect the brain. Between 2003 and 2007, there were 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis each year, including 500 deaths. Antibiotic treatment has improved survival rates, reducing the fatality rate to under 15%, but vaccination remains the most effective prevention. To reduce your risk of contracting bacterial meningitis, follow these steps:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Do not share drinking glasses, utensils, lip balms, or toothbrushes with anyone.
• Maintain a healthy immune system by getting at least seven hours of sleep every night, drinking at least 2 liters of water daily, taking multivitamins, and eating a balanced diet.
• Consider getting vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Some forms of bacterial meningitis can be prevented through vaccination. Ask your doctor about vaccination options.
• Bacterial meningitis spreads through respiratory droplets, so if someone is infected, avoid close contact and consider wearing a mask.

Learn how to reduce the risk of sepsis. Sepsis is a serious condition where bacteria infect the bloodstream and spread uncontrollably. When bacteria multiply in the blood, they can also infect organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, liver, and spleen.

• Various infections, such as skin, lung, urinary tract, and abdominal infections, or even primary blood infections, can lead to sepsis.
• Some individuals are at higher risk of developing sepsis, including those with weakened immune systems, newborns, the elderly, individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, liver disease, or HIV/AIDS, and those who have experienced serious trauma or severe burns.
• You can help prevent sepsis by preventing initial infections, boosting your immune system, and managing chronic diseases effectively.

Recognize that bacteria have a remarkable ability to recover. Bacteria are single-celled organisms capable of surviving in extreme conditions. Some bacteria have been found in hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, where the water temperature is near boiling, and they also thrive deep beneath the ice in Antarctica.

Learn about how bacteria spread. Bacteria require certain nutrients to survive and multiply, and some can even go dormant until favorable conditions arise. Some types of bacteria can adhere to sugars or starches found in most organic materials, which is why they are often found in food. Bacteria can reproduce under the right conditions, making it important to prevent these conditions when possible.

• Biofilms on surfaces like toilets or sinks can support bacterial growth.
• Remember, not all bacteria are harmful. Many bacteria live on the skin and in the gut, and some of them assist with bodily functions.

Know when to call a doctor. Bacterial infections can be life-threatening. If you are unable to control the infection, it's crucial to know when to seek medical help. Contact your doctor if you experience:

• A fever above 38.3°C lasting more than three days
• Symptoms that don’t improve after a few days
• Pain and discomfort requiring the use of pain relievers
• Productive cough (mucus from the lungs) or a persistent cough lasting over a week
• Ruptured eardrum with pus drainage
• A severe headache and fever that make it impossible to hold your head upright
• Frequent vomiting and an inability to keep liquids down

Call emergency services in more serious cases. Some situations may require immediate emergency attention. Have someone take you to the emergency room or dial 911 (or 115 in Vietnam). Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Swelling, redness, fever, and pain
• Weakness, loss of sensation, stiff neck, fever, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, confusion
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing or a sense of being unable to catch your breath

• Infections can be very dangerous. Any organ in the body can be infected, from the brain to the toes.
• Pay attention to preventive measures during the fall, winter, and spring months, especially if you are at high risk of infection.

• If you happen to have a bacterial infection, visit your doctor for treatment with antibiotics to eliminate the harmful bacteria causing the illness.
• Visit a healthcare provider with your partner to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases before engaging in sexual activity. Always use a condom, even if both you and your partner have been tested, to ensure both disease prevention and contraception.
• Leftover food can become contaminated overnight. Avoid eating food that has been left out at room temperature.
• If prescribed antibiotics, make sure to take the full course of medication, even if you start feeling better. Inadequate doses can lead to antibiotic resistance, and if the infection recurs, it may be more difficult to treat with current medications.