7 Best Infection Control Precautions

Manhattan Medical Arts wants to spread awareness about infectious diseases, their control, and prevention. The statistics of human sufferings and death caused by microorganisms invading the human body ascertain the significance of the infectious diseases. Despite the stupendous successes in control of infectious diseases by better sanitation, vaccination, and antimicrobial therapy, infectious diseases thus, there is an obvious need to put control over the spread of infectious diseases.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE:

An infectious disease can be described as a disease caused by the invasion of microorganisms in the host’s body. The microorganism that intrudes into the host’s body is termed as a pathogen. The humans are infected by five major groups of organisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and, parasites (protozoa and helminths). Pathogens colonize in the host body and disrupt the normal functions of the human body.

Thus, infections are classified as skin and soft tissue infections, nervous system infections, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, cardiovascular infections, genitourinary infections, bone and joint infections, and generalized infections.

THE NORMAL FLORA:

Not all pathogens are harmful to the human body. Certain species of bacteria and fungi reside normally in certain body parts like skin, mouth, throat, nasopharynx, colon, outer urethra, and vagina. They are called normal flora of the body. They derive benefits from the host body but do not harm them. But, in immune-depressant patients, they can cause damage to the host.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION:

Following are some of the common modes of transmission;
• Some infectious diseases are highly communicable and can spread via direct contact of a healthy individual with an affected one; for example, infections caused by staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium.
• By the exchange of body fluids: blood, saliva, and semen between infected and healthy individuals, e.g. HIV.
• Some can transfer from mother to baby during delivery like hepatitis B
• Some can transfer by breast milk, for example, the human T-cell leukemia virus.
• Many infectious diseases are airborne and foodborne infections.

BURDEN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES:

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States of America, there were 15.5 million visits to the general physicians with the infectious disease as the primary diagnosis in the year 2016. 3.7 million cases were reported, visiting the emergency department with infectious disease and 280,000 emergency visits resulting in hospital admissions were recorded in 2016.

Infectious diseases are the foremost cause of death worldwide, predominantly in low-income countries, especially in young children. In the year 2016, the World Health Organization has listed three infectious diseases in the top ten causes of death worldwide. They record 3 million deaths due to lower respiratory infections, 1.4 million deaths as a result of diarrheal diseases, 1.3 million deaths due to tuberculosis, and 1 million deaths as a consequence of HIV/AIDS. Malaria and dengue are the top cause of death in low-income countries during the breeding season of their vectors.

BEST INFECTION CONTROL PRECAUTIONS:

Control and preventive measures should be taken to prevent infectious diseases.

According to infectious diseases (fourth Edition), 2017, Community-acquired infections are defined as infections that demonstrate symptoms and are diagnosed within 48 hours of admission in patients; without any prior encounter with healthcare whereas, hospital-acquired infections occur in patients under hospital care. Every year, many deaths occur because of the spread of infections in primary and tertiary healthcare services. Healthcare personnel, as well as common people, should take preventive measures to control the spread of infection.

1. HAND WASHING:

The best way to keep infections away is to keep your hands clean. Hands are the common medium of the spread of diseases. People should embrace the habit of frequent hand washing. Hospital staff should sanitize their hands before and after approaching every patient.

2. IMMUNIZATION:

Vaccinations can prevent us from numerous infectious diseases. It has decreased the frequency of infections Worldwide. According to WHO, it is the safest source of infection prevention than therapeutic medicine. It can eliminate the disease locally and can also reduce the complications associated with the disease.

3. USE OF DISPOSABLE SCRUBS:

Healthcare professionals should take precautions before every surgery; considering the fact that the patient may have a highly contagious infection. Each step of preventive care protocols during surgery should be followed. Disposable scrubs should be used, shoes should be covered, wear disposable gloves and head covers, and nose, eyes, and mouth should be covered properly.

4. PRACTICE SAFE SEX:

Several infections are transmitted via sexual contact. Avoid having sex with multiple partners. Get a vaccination for hepatitis B. Get tested for HIV. Use condoms. Maintain hygiene before and after having sex.

5. STERILIZE HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT:

Every instrument used on the patient should be sterilized properly. An autoclave should be used for maximum protection against infective agents. Bedsheet and pillow covers should also be sterilized.

6. DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED ITEMS:

Anything contaminated with human or animal blood, skin, tissue, excretory products, semen, saliva, pus, or mucus is considered as infectious waste material. So, there should be proper disposal of every contaminated material. Make sure to wear protective gloves before handling them. Avoid throwing it into the dustbin where the public can reach.

7. PERSONAL HYGIENE:

It is very important to clean your surroundings. Many diseases are transferred by touching objects that were touched by the infected person. Hence, clean your surroundings with disinfectant. Avoid contact with a diseased person. Use clean utensils, towels, and clothes. Maintain proper kitchen hygiene as well.

In the USA, infectious diseases continue to influence health and health-care resources. Millions of people are affected by diseases such as pneumonia, flu, tuberculosis, HIV, chronic hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. In recent times, foodborne and hospital-associated infectious diseases have been focused and preventive measures have been adopted but yet the major challenge remains constant. Though considerable progress in the decline of the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases has been made, a continued outburst of these diseases persevere, determined by a variety of contributing factors. Worldwide, newly discovered infections persist to challenge control and prevention strategies while the increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance requires urgent action.

A joint venture should establish across governments, health care sectors, academia, and with the public, to effectively decrease the burden of infectious diseases.