There are some proven ways to keep yourself healthy. You know the basics: steer clear of runny noses and hacking coughs. But you may be wondering about some other practical ways of staying infection-free. This has become of even greater concern in recent years. While the risk related to "traditional infections" has often been reduced by vaccination and antibiotics, emerging infectious diseases are popping up to remind us how vulnerable we really are. Not only are new "bugs" appearing, but some of the "old bugs" are getting smarter. Your skin acts as a natural barrier against harmful microbes that cause infections, but "smart bugs" have found alternative routes to get into your body and cause infection. Smart bugs have also learned how to produce compounds which can make many—and sometimes all—of our current antibiotic arsenal ineffective. You may wish to learn about the rise of these superbugs.
Reduce Risk
If you've watched the news about these emerging infectious diseases, you may be feeling a little apprehensive. It seems we all know of someone who was basically healthy, yet developed an infection that caused significant sickness and disability. Next time could it be you? While both wizened old and emerging infections can frighten the most stoic individual, we are not without measures to fight back. By making a few simple behavioral changes (which ultimately reduce their access into your body,) you can easily prevent the spread of many infectious diseases. Let's look at 10 practical tips to lower your risk, followed by a few special notes for those who are pregnant or immunosuppressed due to disease or chemotherapy. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but others may surprise you.
Wash Your Hand
Did you know that microbes can live on inert surfaces anywhere from a few minutes to several months? It depends on the microbe and the environment. Some can live for short periods only; others can live for long periods. Imagine these disease-causing microbes living on your computer keyboard, your light-switch, or even on the pedestrian crossing button next to the crosswalk! Many diseases can be transmitted by fomites, the term used to describe the intermediary between another infected person and yourself. Surprisingly, the vast majority of people don’t know the best way to effectively wash their hands. The CDC recommends washing thoroughly and vigorously with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by hand drying with a paper towel. In the absence of running water, an alcohol-based hand gel or wipe will suffice, although nothing beats good old soap and water. This takes about as long as it does to sing "Happy Birthday", so some hospitals recommend washing your hands for the duration of this simple tune!
Don't Share Personal Item
Toothbrushes, towels, razors, handkerchiefs, and nail clippers can all be sources of infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, and fungi). In kindergarten, you were taught to share your toys, but keep your hands to yourself. Now try to remember to keep personal items to yourself as well! An example of "surprising" transmission is the transmission of hepatitis B. We know that the virus needs to pass from the blood of one person to the blood of another. Still, a large percentage of people who acquire the infection do not recall any "obvious" risk factors which would explain how they caught the virus.
Cover Your Mouth
In a similar vein, good personal hygiene includes not only personal cleanliness but also the age-old practice of covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Why is this important if you aren’t sick? For most infections, the disease-causing microbe has already started growing and dividing long before any symptoms begin to show. Coughing or sneezing can spread these germs through microscopic droplets in the air. The current recommendation is to cover your mouth with your arm, sleeve, or crook of the elbow, rather than using your hands.
9Apps 4.9
