Follow
these tips to help lower your risk of infections:
• Do practice good
hygiene
Wash your hands before handling food, after using
the bath-room and after handling pets. Wash your hands often when you have a
cold.
· Don't share eating or
drinking utensils
That's a good way to
spread infections.
· Do cook certain foods
thoroughly - especially hamburger - to kill bacteria
Don't eat raw or undercooked meat or poultry, raw
seafood or raw eggs. Don't drink or cook with unpasteurized milk.
• Don't drink water
that's likely contaminated
That includes, for example, water from streams or
lakes near campsites or hiking trails.
· Don't put your
fingers in your mouth or eyes
Doing so transmits
germs.
· Do avoid contact with
ticks and rodents
Stay
away from these and other disease carriers.
• Do keep up to date
with vaccinations
They
can protect you from life-threatening infectious diseases.
· Do recognize signs of
generalized infections
Signs and symptoms include,
for example, fever, sweats and chills. For skin infections, look for redness
and warmth.
· Don't delay
contacting your doctor if you're sick
Many serious
infections are treatable in the early stages.
· Don't expect an
antibiotic each time you're sick
Antibiotics don't
help with some common infections, and over-use encourages the growth of
drug-resistant microorganisms.
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