(SurvivalDaily.com) – Worried about contracting a disease or illness that may be airborne? How can you avoid becoming infected? How can you prevent its spread?
The first step in knowing how to prevent these types of things, is knowing what causes them. Most illnesses are caused by pathogens — microorganisms that can be bacterial, viral, or in some not so common cases, parasitic.
Basically, “pathogen” is a fancy word for germ. Viral infections are the most common and also the most contagious. Viral infections can be distributed through the air via a cough, sneeze, laughing, yawning, even just talking or breathing.
Preventative Maintenance
So how can we prevent infection? The most obvious way would be to stay away from people who are showing symptoms of an active infection. Frequently wash your hands, and consider getting vaccinated. (Vaccines help prevent disease but do not stop it entirely.)
If you must be around people, it helps to wear a mask to avoid breathing in the pathogens. In all reality, it can be quite difficult to prevent coming into contact with airborne pathogens. Beyond washing your hands and getting vaccinated, you can also do some of the things we’ve listed below.
- Wear a mask in areas where infection is known to be present, such as hospitals and other public areas.
- Ask to be able to work from home, if at all possible, when multiple people have become infected in the workplace.
- Use bleach or a disinfectant to clean your personal workspace and items that are exposed to the public. (Think laptops, purses, etc.)
When Infected
Limit your visitors or do not allow any at all. Make sure to wash your hands, cover your mouth when you; cough, sneeze, or yawn. Some examples of illnesses that can be airborne are:
- Influenza
- The Common Cold
- Tuberculosis
The problem pertaining to viruses and their effect on the body is that viral infections have to run their course. Medicine won’t get rid of the infection; it will simply lessen the symptoms. Viral infections have to be fought off by the body’s immune system and antibodies.
Vaccines are used to help the body recognize these infections sooner and be better prepared to fight them off. Cleanliness and common courtesy can take prevention even further.
While it is difficult to prevent airborne infections, it is not impossible. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you won’t become infected, all you can do is take the necessary precautions.
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