Top 10 Tips for Preventing Infectious Diseases

When it comes out health, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. Though we may not be able to control much about our health, it is possible to put into practice certain habits that help to prevent infectious diseases and protect us from illnesses.

1. Wash handsWash hands

Wash hands regularly before and after meals, after going to the toilet, and generally after being out in public places (and public toilets) and handing public property. Also pay attention to how you cough and sneeze to prevent germs spreading and also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as far as possible.

2. Control pests

Any rat infestations or other rodents in the neighborhood, mosquitoes and other insects should be controlled effectively.

3. Keep pets healthy

It is possible to get infections from pets; so make sure that your pet is as healthy as possible, with regular visits to the vet, vaccines, and so on.

4. Prepare foods and store them properly

Not cooking meats, dairy and poultry can cause certain infections; so make sure whatever you cook is bought fresh and cooked properly. Refrigerate or freeze what you are not going to use immediately, to prevent it from going bad.

5. Get enough rest

Not getting enough rest can increase stress and lower productivity, in addition to weakening the immunity. So don’t ignore any sleep disorders and be sure to get enough shuteye.

6. Get vaccinated

Follow recommendations for flu shots and other vaccines to keep infections at bay.

7. Don’t self medicate

Becoming reliant on drugs is a worry; drug interactions and adverse reactions is another. Developing resistance to medications due to unnecessary and frequent use is yet another reason not to self medicate.

8. Cover wounds

Cover the wounds to prevent their getting infected and to help the healing process. Pus from wounds can cause staph infection to occur; so be careful about giving wounds enough time to heal.

9. Practice good hygiene and safe sex

Bathing regularly, keeping good care of oral health, practicing safe sex.. all come under the ambit of good hygiene and all of them help to avoid infections.

10. Keep informed

If there is any kind of breakout of an infectious disease, be careful about avoiding it. Follow recommendations about how to avoid the infection. If you have to travel out of the country, make sure you are aware of the precautions you have to take before travel.

If you own, manage or occupy a building and have responsibility for any services providing or using water, then you have an obligation to consider, assess and manage the risk from Legionella bacteria arising from these areas. Find out more about Legionella Risk Assessment.