Importance Of Infection Control In The Home

Infection Control in the Home

If you have an infection or are taking care of someone who has an infection, it is important to know how to keep the infection from spreading. Follow these guidelines to help stop the spread of infection and talk to your health care provider.

HOW ARE INFECTIONS SPREAD?

In order for an infection to spread, the following must be present:

A germ. This may be a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite.

A place for the germ to live. This may be on a person, animal, plant, food, soil, water, or on surfaces, like a door handle.

A susceptible host. This is a person or animal who does not have resistance (immunity) to the germ.

A way for the germ to enter the host. This may occur by:

Direct contact. This may happen by making contact, such as shaking hands or

This is when the germ enters the host through contact with an infected object, such as eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching a contaminated surface with your hands, and then touching your face, nose or mouth soon after.

HOW CAN I HELP PREVENT INFECTION FROM SPREADING?

There are several things you can do to help prevent infection from spreading.

Hand washing

It is very important to wash your hands correctly:

Wet your hands with clean, running water.

Apply soap to your hands. Liquid soap is better than bar soap.

Rub your hands together quickly to create lather.

Keep rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Thoroughly scrub all parts of your hands, including under you fingernails and between your fingers.

Rinse your hands with clean, running water until all the soap is gone.

Dry your hands using an air dryer or a clean paper or cloth towel, or let your hands air-dry. Do not use your clotihng or a soiled towel to dry your hands.

If you are in a public restroom, use your towel to turn off the water faucet and open the bathroom door.

Make sure to wash your