City of Lincoln City



 

 

In a community, infection control includes maintaining healthy habits that keep disease from spreading between family and community members.

 

 

One of the most important ways to prevent an infection is to wash your hands after touching another person, or an item or surface that may have been contaminated or soiled.

 

After using the bathroom or changing diapers

Before and after eating

After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing

Before and after preparing food (especially raw meat)

Before or after caring for someone who is sick

After touching another person's hands or touching an animal or pet

After handling garbage

 

Always use warm water and soap.  Premoistened cleansing towelette do not effectively clean hands

Wet hands and apply soap

Rub hands until a soapy lather appears for at least 15 - 20 seconds

Be sure to scrub between fingers, under fingernails, around joints and the tops and palms of hands

Rinse hands

Dry hands with a clean or paper towel

If in a public place, use another paper towel to turn off the faucet and throw away in the trash

When helping a child, rub their hands first and then wash your own

 

 

Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Use alcohol-based gel that has at least 60% alcohol content to be effective

Use hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly dirty (if hands are dirty, wipe off dirt first)

Apply enough hand sanitizer for both hands to palm

Rub hands covering between fingers, under fingernails, around joints and the tops and palms of hands until dry

If hands dry before 10 seconds, you did not use enough

 

To help stop the spread of germs, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Then put your used tissue in the trash

If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm

Wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer

 

 

Make sure your vaccines are up to date and ensure that if you have children, their vaccines are up to date

These include vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, annual flu shots and childhood immunizations

 

 

Prepare food in a safe manner

Cook and store at proper temperatures

Never eat food that has been left out over an extended period (over four hours) or is spoiled

 

 

Try to eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables

Drink lots of water

Get plenty of sleep and regular exercise

Leading a healthy lifestyle helps boost your immune system so that it can prevent infections

 

 

For more information on staying safe and healthy, ask your healthcare provider or visit:

 

 

 

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