How do you prevent germs from entering your body?

Answer 1

The majority of disease-causing organisms enter the body in one of 4 ways: (a) into a break in the skin such as a cut or other wound; (b) into the digestive tract by way of the mouth; (c) into the respiratory tract in the air you breathe; (d) into the eye. To prevent bacteria and viruses from entering your body, you need to address the above 4 avenues of attack. (1) There is wide agreement among medical experts that the first measure of protection against infection is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. (2) You should carefully wash any break in the skin, and keep it clean and protected until healing is well under way. An antibacterial medication might also be used. Use of an antibiotic medication is usually not advisable unless the signs of a local infection are present (unusual redness and swelling). Large or seriously infected wounds should be attended to by a medical professional. (3) Avoid rubbing your eyes; if you must rub or wipe your eyes, make sure to use a clean tissue or freshly-washed hands. (4) The US Department of Health and Human Services suggests that covering coughs and avoiding crowds are the best means of avoiding respiratory infection. It also advises that household use of disposable face masks is "ineffective for controlling seasonal respiratory disease". Studies show that face masks are only partially effective and then only when worn by large numbers of people on a regular basis. In other words, in order for face masks to be somewhat effective, everybody in the room (or crowd) needs to wear one. (5) Eat only raw foods that have been carefully washed and foods that have been properly cooked. Ill people should not be permitted in food preparation areas. Food of questionable quality should be discarded, not eaten.