Hygiene and infection prevention beyond hospitals

Throughout life, we are at risk of infection from a great diversity of micro-organisms about which we may have little warning or expectation. Sitting next to a stranger with a severe cold, receiving an insect bite or consuming contaminated food or water might simply be unpleasant, or the start of a nasty infection. With occupationally-acquired infection, the circumstances should be more predictable, and largely preventable. Either way, nobody wants the misery of an infection. Investment in prevention brings reward. Eliminating hygiene deficiencies to avoid or prevent infection can save time and money, increase workplace productivity, reduce lost time and sickness absence, and secure employee retention. Away from work, care is no less important as hygiene deficiencies can and do result in nasty, but otherwise avoidable infections. This book is not a prescriptive manual of essential Do's and Don'ts, but will support balanced understanding and the ability to consider hygiene and infection risks associated with any situation. After all, the bugs probably don't recognise the different circumstances and simply don't care, so most often the approaches to prevention are largely generic.