We have all felt the health regulations that were introduced by world governments as the consequence of a COVID-19 pandemic-washing hands, keeping a distance between individuals, wearing masks. Although these actions were necessary at that moment, their impact does not apply to the coronavirus only. The truth is that all of these practices are so effective when it comes to the prevention of the transmission of other infectious diseases including, the common cold, the influenza, dengue fever, typhoid, and cholera, and even dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis.
In this write up, we shall attempt to know what infectious diseases are, how hygiene can prevent the disease and our daily hygiene practices that we should make an effort to engage in to keep not only ourselves but the whole society safe.
What are infectious diseases?
As described above, infectious diseases are the ones transmitted by a microorganism e.g. bacteria, virus, fungus or parasites. These germs might be transmitted: person to person through contact, by means of air, water or surface.
Conversely, the diseases that are not communicable, including cancer, diabetes or asthma, are triggered by causes that are as a result of heredities, nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle or the environment and are not transmitted by one person to another.
Hygiene is the most influential tool that can prevent the flow of an infectious disease in a chain main stream and the point is that people who are already infected, cannot spread the disease to others.
Personal Hygiene: The First Line of Disease Prevention
Hygiene does not merely mean neatness, but it means safeguarding. When we wash with soap, sanitizer or other hygiene related products we not only clean ourselves but we also get rid of germs which may end up causing serious diseases.
Whereas such measures might not always tend to be equally efficient in terms of using it against all types of infectious diseases including the ones that have never existed before, nonetheless, in general, due to such hygiene habits, a person is much safer in terms of not being exposed to infectious diseases.
Role of hygiene in infection management
The transmission rate of any infectious disease is reduced when hygienic guidelines are registered as frequent and stringent in a society. Just an example, when people use their hands regularly, cover their mouths either when sneezing or coughing and wash their body, chances of infection in their society are very low.
Collaborative hygiene culture does not only help to prevent an outbreak but also play an important part in managing a disease even after it had already damaged.
Some common but effective hygiene practices
1. Hand washing
We touch our face and nose, the eyes and the mouth multiple times without even thinking of it during the day. It can be spread immediately should we touch our face after touching contaminated surface.
Hence, we all need to ensure that we practice personal hygiene by ensuring that we wash our hands using warm water and soap, at least 20 seconds, several times a day. When water and soap are not 3 available; use a sanitizer with alcohol.
2. Dental hygiene
There are millions of bacteria present in our mouth. Without regular cleaning of our teeth, we may end up having oral disease, inflammation of the gum and gum infections.
One requires brushing twice a day, better after the meals. Maintenance of dental hygiene can also be achieved by flossing and the use of mouthwash.
3. Covering the mouth while sneezing or coughing
When a person is sneezing or coughing, the germs sent into the air may directly affect other people. Due to this, the mouth must always be covered with a handkerchief, tissue or even the elbow and the tissue should as well be discarded after use and hands must be washed.
4. Body hygiene
Daily bathing and washing the body with soap refreshes your body in addition to lowering the likelihood of getting an infection by eliminating the germs on the skin.
5. Maintain social distance
While hygiene is an individual responsibility, social distancing is a collective responsibility. When there is an outbreak, maintaining a distance of at least two meters from people, avoiding crowded places, and not attending public events prevents the spread of infection.
Why hygiene is the most effective prevention
When we practice hygiene, i.e. when we indulge in washing ourselves, when we put on a mask, keep a distance of 3 to 6 feet, and use clean water, we are in essence killing the bacteria that spreads disease.
The COVID-19 disease has taught us that we still cannot prevent any infectious disease unless the entire globe is alert. That is why we should be able to continue our hygiene behavior which we adopt today.
The need for hygiene and support globally
COVID-19 was not a pandemic alone, it was an alarm in the form of an eye opener. However, then many people in the world are still suffering with tuberculosis, dengue, malaria and water born diseases.
In the country, such as Papua New Guinea, children and families have not yet enjoyed the basic health services and clean water. At the point that a girl such as the 7-year-old Jenny receives treatment, it is already too late.
To this end, to these communities, we social beings need to play our role in them, either by donating or creating publicity.
What can you do?
You can help through organisations like Child Fund Australia by making gifts like:
- Hand wash stations: to ensure cleanliness and protection from infection throughout the community
Hand pump well: For clean drinking, bathing and cleaning water.
- COVID-19 safety kit: For medicines, PPE kits and other health resources.
- Deepwater borehole system: To provide clean and safe water to an entire school or village.
Note that all donations of $2 or more made before June 30 are eligible for tax deduction.
Conclusion: Practice cleanliness, keep diseases at bay
Cleanliness is a style rather than an option. It is a practice which not only makes us safe but the whole society infection-free.
One little thing such as washing hands, frequent bathing and using a mask may just save a life. Together, we should all strive to have a greener and healthier future.
