Personal hygiene helps keep your immune system from being overwhelmed by germs. Skin is an important part of the immune system and acts as a barrier between germs and your body. On the other hand, germs can enter our bodies through other areas that are susceptible to bacteria such as our nose, mouth, eyes, or break in the skin. General and good personal hygiene will limit the possibility of these germs finding a way into your body. Here are four common general personal hygiene tips in preventing the spread of infection.
1. Clean Your Hands:
The single most important way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is to wash your hands. Most infections, particularly the cold and strep throat are contracted when our germ-infested hands come in contact with our mouths. In addition, infections are also contracted through contact with other individuals whose hands may come in contact with us. The general times of cleansing your hands are: before and after eating food, after you use the bathroom, take out the trash, changing a diaper, visiting someone who is ill or playing with a pet.
2. Cover your Mouth and Nose
Many diseases are spread through sneezes and coughs. When you sneeze or cough, the germs can travel 3 feet or more! Cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of infection to others. Use a tissue! Keep tissues handy at home, at work, and in your pocket. Be sure to throw away used tissues and clean your hands. If you don’t use a tissue and use your hands to cover your mouth, clean them right away.
3. If you are sick, avoid close contact with others.
If you are sick, stay away from other people or stay home. Don’t shake hands or touch others. When you go out for medical treatment, call ahead and ask if there’s anything you can do to avoid infecting people in the waiting room. Visit the CDC for additional instructions.
4. Get shots to avoid disease and fight the spread of infection
Make sure your vaccinations are current —even for adults. Check with your doctor about shots you may need. Vaccinations are available to prevent these diseases:
- Chickenpox
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Flu —Influenza
- Whooping COugh
- Pneumonia
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Protect yourself, your family and those in your work and/or school environment. We hope these general common four tips help and remind you to prevent the spread of infection. Another thing to note is that making sure health care providers clean their hands and gloves. So before we treat you, you may ask if we have cleaned our hands. Don’t be afraid to ask! We will answer any and all questions. Our clinic welcomes walk-ins for all ages with no appointment needed. Get the care you need, when you need it —7 days a week.