Infections

What can infect us? The four main types of organism which can infect our bodies are bacteria, viruses, fungus & parasites. This website concentrates on ways we can live our lives to avoid or reduce the risks of any of these infective agents.

How to avoid infections? Avoiding infections completely is impossible but various lifestyle manoeuvres can reduce the risk of catching them.:-

Get vaccinated / immunised  - This applies to childhood vaccinations such as rubella and measles, those required before travelling abroad such as hepatitis and cholera and those which have to be updated at regular intervals through our lives such as tetanus and polio. Individuals those lifestyles which increase the risk of hepatitis should consider Hep B vaccination such as those swimming in the sea regularly or health workers. Despite the emotive arguement in some press against them an enormous amount or research has gone into making them safe. Society has mortal obligation as the more people vaccinated the less likely the disease will survive in the population - small pox for example disappeared because of the extensive vaccination prorame.

Avoid food poisoning - Buy safely, store and cook correctly. Any food or drink can be a potential source of infection with a higher risk or undercooked meats, soft cheeses off seafood (click for full list)

Practice safe hygiene - Many infections, particularly parasites are picked up by the oro-faecal route i.e. we have touched surface which is contaminated with faeces (at home, on the train, in the car, hospital corridor) we then touch our mouth or touch food we are about to eat. Practice washing hands first thing in the morning, when we come in from travelling or before eating. Avoid chewing pens and biting nails.

Practice safe sex - Avoid multiple partners, use a condom. Men should check their penile regularly for signs of warts and women should attend cervical screening regularly. A vaccine is now available for HPV,.if a women is planning to have multiple partners or have unprotected sex with a man who may have had warts or multiple partners this vaccine would significantly reduce the risk of warts. If a man has had unprotected anal sex or been an intravenous drug abuser ask him to have a HIV test and use a condom.

Avoid insect bites - Malaria is still common around the world, transferred by mosquito bites. Many other infects are transmitted this way. If in a country where insect bites could be dangerous precautions should be taken.  Take malaria prophylaxis tablets, use insect repellents and devices in the rooms to deter insects. Consider buying a mosquito net. Cover up particularly in the evening

Reduce the impact of infections  Keep as healthy as possible with regular exercise and a good diet. Ensure an adequate intake of trace minerals and vitamins to ensure the immunity is up to scratch.