Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How can I Prevent Communicable Diseases?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The goal to prevent communicable diseases, which range from the common cold to extremely dangerous illnesses like meningitis, is laudable but likely unachievable. The numbers of diseases that are contracted by humans and passed in one form or another to other humans are overwhelming, making total disease eradication impossible. It is possible to limit the spread of communicable diseases through a variety of healthy behaviors and actions. For the average individual, following some basic guidelines may reduce the number of illnesses contracted and could help avoid contact with dangerous and life threatening conditions.

For someone who wants to commit to healthy living and fewer illnesses, they should first consider supporting a healthy immune system. Maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from smoking and excess drinking, eating a well-balanced diet, getting adequate sleep (at least eight hours for adults and 10-12 hours for kids), and reducing stress may actually make the immune system stronger. This means when people encounter an illness, they may fight it off more easily or have faster recovery.

Using safe sex practices can help reduce an individual's chances of contracting an STD.
Using safe sex practices can help reduce an individual's chances of contracting an STD.

Simple and sensible behaviors may also help reduce the number of communicable diseases spread or contracted. Proper handwashing after using the bathroom, after being in a busy location like a school or grocery store, and directly before meals is important. Careful washing and cooking of food is recommended, as this may prevent a number of bacterial infections. Avoiding people who have an active illness that is contagious, and staying home from work or having the kids stay home from school when they’re ill all help to reduce the spread of disease.

Many severe illnesses can be prevented by vaccination.
Many severe illnesses can be prevented by vaccination.

Special circumstances exist where greater precautions are needed. Anytime a person travels, they should pay attention to all safe guidelines for travel in a particular area, like avoiding eating fresh vegetables or drinking unbottled water, and get any shots needed to protect from communicable diseases that may be present in certain areas. Traveling isn’t the only circumstance under which special precautions are needed. Sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDs, can often be prevented with safer sex practices. Anyone who uses injected drugs also needs to find ways to use clean needles to avoid contracting HIV and some forms of hepatitis.

People with a contagious illness should stay home from work.
People with a contagious illness should stay home from work.

Some people are occupationally at greater risk for contracting communicable diseases including many healthcare workers and those who work with animals or wildlife. Any time a person is more at risk, they should follow recommendations for minimizing potential contraction of illnesses. A nurse following safe needle handling protocol is less likely to come into contact with blood-borne illness from accidental needle sticks. Safe handling of a potentially rabid animal could mean people are less likely to contract rabies.

Washing hands after using the bathroom and before meals is essential to preventing the spread of diseases.
Washing hands after using the bathroom and before meals is essential to preventing the spread of diseases.

In many cases, a number of severe illnesses can be almost fully prevented by vaccination. People are familiar with vaccinations for children, but there are also vaccinations for the adult, including yearly flu shots, tetanus shots, hepatitis vaccines, and chicken pox and shingles vaccines. Staying on a proper vaccination schedule, and asking doctors for guidelines on the right vaccines for a person’s age group is key toward preventing some devastating communicable diseases.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Using safe sex practices can help reduce an individual's chances of contracting an STD.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Using safe sex practices can help reduce an individual's chances of contracting an STD.
    • Many severe illnesses can be prevented by vaccination.
      By: robyelo357
      Many severe illnesses can be prevented by vaccination.
    • People with a contagious illness should stay home from work.
      By: Halfpoint
      People with a contagious illness should stay home from work.
    • Washing hands after using the bathroom and before meals is essential to preventing the spread of diseases.
      By: byrdyak
      Washing hands after using the bathroom and before meals is essential to preventing the spread of diseases.
    • A number of rather common communicable diseases can be prevented using vaccinations, usually during childhood.
      By: Gorilla
      A number of rather common communicable diseases can be prevented using vaccinations, usually during childhood.
    • When traveling to some regions, it's essential to avoid fresh vegetables and unbottled water.
      By: Serghei Velusceac
      When traveling to some regions, it's essential to avoid fresh vegetables and unbottled water.
    • The flu shot can prevent people from getting the virus.
      By: Fernando Madeira
      The flu shot can prevent people from getting the virus.