BASIC INFECTION CONTROL

Microorganisms can cause infectious diseases ranging from common colds, skin infections and viruses like HIV/AIDS and the Corona Virus

Causes of infectious diseases

• Not washing hands properly after using the toilet, contact with individuals, before preparing or eating food, after doing work and performing other dirty tasks.
• When clean objects touch dirty ones and mixing clean and dirty clothes.
• When an infected person breathes, sings, shouts, talks, sneezes or speaks in the presence of others without covering the mouth and nostrils.
• Open Defecation in bushes, nearby streams, and buckets.
• Eating of contaminated food and drinking of contaminated water.
• Poor disposal of waste/dirt.
• Tight, dirty and unaired rooms, and dirty environments.
• Poor personal hygiene like not bathing, washing and changing dresses regularly.
• Being in contact with clinical waste like infected stuff, used plasters, needles, clothing etc.
• Direct contact with infected matter from wounds, bodily fluids and other stock from infected or sick persons.
• Non and inaccurate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such face masks, gloves and aprons.

Infection Prevention Measures

• Frequent washing of hands with soap and water;
  • after greeting many people, using the toilet, coughing, blowing your nose, sneezing, using tissues, feeding or stroking your pet, or visiting or caring for a sick person.
  • before eating, cooking, breastfeeding, changing baby’s diapers.
  • anytime there is need to wash hands.
• Sanitize your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth and face with unwashed hands.
• Separate clean clothes and items from dirty ones.
• Clean items that have dropped on the floor.
• Avoid breathing directly into someone’s face.
• Avoid being in close contact with people who are sick of any respiratory infection or sharing personal items with them.
• Construct latrine with closed lids for family and communal use.
• Avoid defecating in the open.
• Drink water only from a well-treated source or you decontaminate water by simple straining and boiling.
• Ventilate your house by opening doors and windows daily.
• Clean and decongest your home and environment regularly.
• Always temporally store waste/dirt in a closed container and dispose in a safe and designated area.
• Get a vaccine for those infections and viruses that have one.
• Practice physical distancing from members outside your household, when appropriate.
• Stay at home if you are sick so you do not spread the illness to other people.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, then dispose of it. If no tissue is handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than into your hands.
• Do not share cups, glasses, dishes, cutlery, cigarettes etc.
• Wear a face mask when in public places to protect yourself from being infected and to avoid infecting others.
• Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in your home and workplace.
• Taking prescribed medications, as directed by health professionals.
• Avoid direct contact with napkins, tissues, handkerchiefs, or similar items used by others.

Taking the above measures will prevent infections including the Corona virus.