In 2010 Times of India reported that infections cause 90% of kids’ death in India. The highest infections occur while visiting hospitals and travel. So, avoiding infections can be a major breakthrough for healthcare in India. Here is how you can prevent the spread of infections and contracting serious diseases like Tuberculosis.
Sometimes, we can do little to prevent infections, but mostly it is preventable. Don’t come in contact with a person carrying infection, wash hands regularly, and avoid dirt or air pollution, and stay safe in public transport. Follow these preventive measures.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Washing hands should be your regular habit. Mostly, hands look clean but you will find out the dirt when washing. If washing it is not possible always, you can use Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers. While exposing our hands to the public we contract many diseases. Especially when you visit a doctor or go for a diagnosis; use soap and warm water to clean your fingertips, fingernails, and space between your fingers. Rubbing hands in motion help you get rid of bacteria that are in our hands.
People who are in the role of contacting too many people should increase the number of washing hands. Especially, people in healthcare, pathology labs, veterinary care/ having pets, and medicine; should wash off their hands more often.
Use Mask and Handkerchiefs on Your Mouth and Nose
Deadliest diseases like Swine-flue and TB spread when you are exposed to a person having a cough and sneezing. Mostly, people should keep tissue or handkerchief on their use but, lack of awareness has made India a place for superbug of TB. It is better to stay safe covering your own mouth and nose instead of expecting the patient to do so. Wash off your hanky or dispose of the tissue at the right place.
Children should be given mask and taught the habit of washing hands from an early age. Kids going to nursery and schools easily contract a disease like the common cold. So, precaution is the best prevention for communicable diseases.
Avoid Touch with the Sick/ Patients
If you are not feeling well with someone having a disease, then you should avoid contact with that person. Try not to shake hands and explain your concern to make the person understand. While most people understand some may be hurt, but keeping yourself safe is good.
Also, when you have such disease it is your responsibility to not pass on to others. So, avoid close contact when you have a common cold, cough, or other contagious diseases. Instead of feeling awkward being frank and avoiding people can save others you know. Some diseases like impetigo can be even passed by wiping of the face on the same towel that the family uses.
Go for Regular Checkup and Routine Vaccination
The best way to avoid having some communicable and preventable diseases is –Vaccination. You can keep safe your family and near ones by taking precautions. Most vaccines for measles, Hepatitis, Flu, Polio, TB, Influenza, Mumps, Pneumonia, and Pertussis is available in government hospitals and even in Mohalla Clinics or Community Health Centers. Visit a nearby doctor to tell your concern and they will tell you the list of diseases and vaccines. But, check for free vaccination by government hospitals to save your costs.
Some very normal and preventable diseases have the potential to kill a person. So, avoiding a life-threatening situation is possible with vaccination. Have everyone vaccine in your family and stay healthy.
So, are you ready to stay safe and keep your near ones disease-free? Do your bit!