What Are Infectious Diseases?
Infectious diseases, are disorders caused by various organisms – such viruses, bacteria or parasites. Often these can live in our body without ever causing harm, whilst some are very dangerous to the human body – especially those that are more physically vulnerable than others.
With winter fast approaching, and the threat of Ebola potentially looming, as well as the colds and other winter illnesses people suffer from, it is best to put measures in place within your staff to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
Measures to Stop The Spread Of Infectious Disease
Some of the things that can help you to avoid the spread of Infectious Diseases – from flu to ebola, include:
- Don’t touch The Patient – one of the biggest methods by which infectious diseases travel, is by touching the patient. Spread of contamination from one person to another can be the main driving force for disease multiplying. Patients should only be touched when providing essential medical care and even then at a bare minimum and with gloves
- Personal Hygiene – ensuring that you wash after coming into contact with anyone is vital. Proper showering as well as hand hygiene is vital to keep yourself protected when coming into contact with those that are showing symptoms of infectious disease.
- Protective Clothing – different infectious diseases vary in severity – those who are more susceptible to illness and have a weaker immune system require more protection. Protective clothing such as gloves, masks, goggles and overalls are essential to prevent any fluids from the patient getting onto you and infecting you. More damaging infectious disease such as Ebola require more protection – additional layers, breathing apparatus and isolation.
- Laundry – It is important to make sure that all laundry is done thoroughly when handling patients with infectious diseases. The more severe the case then it is wise to start considering incinerating the bedding and clothing of the patient, in order to prevent the disease multiplying on the discarded clothing.
- Cleaning – this is a vital part of stemming the spread of infectious disease. Using high quality cleaning products to stop diseases multiplying on a surface is a step towards making an area infection free
- Avoid the doctors unless vital – doctors surgeries, hospital waiting rooms, they’re all places where ill people tend to be together immune systems are weaker and they can lead to being a simple way to spread infectious disease. Unless it’s vital, it is often wise to avoid going to these places – this avoids taking resources from those in more urgent need, and also helps towards preventing the spread.
This list isn’t exhaustive, however the suggestions included should help to prevent the spread of infectious disease, whether it is wanted to avoid flu and colds, to taking preventative measures for the spread of something like ebola.