Preventing the Spread of Infection

Certain infections can spread from person to person. This is why your friend or family member may be put in a special room. Restrictions may be placed on who can go in and out of that room and what protection must be worn. Read this sheet to better understand why this is done.

How Infection Spreads

Infection is caused by germs. An infected person carries germs that he or she can give to others. Even a person who doesn’t feel sick can still carry and spread germs. Some germs can travel from person to person through the air. Some germs can travel on drops when a person coughs or talks. And many germs can travel on hands or other things that are touched.

How You Can Become Infected

To infect you, germs first have to get inside your body. Some germs can be breathed in. Others can enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth. A cut or scrape can provide an opening for germs. If you have germs on your hands, then touch an opening on your body, it is possible to infect yourself. This is why handwashing is so important.

Preventing Infection

To stop infection from spreading, health care workers may do one or more of the following:

• Place an infected patient in a private room, or in a room with others who have exactly the same infection. (This depends on what kind of infection the patient has.)

• Wear a mask, gloves, gown, or other items.

• Wear a respirator (air filter) for some infections.

Follow the guidelines you're given when visiting a patient in the hospital.

What You Can Do

Here’s how to help stop the spread of infection:

• You may be asked to wear a mask, gloves, gown, or respirator when you visit. Follow any instructions carefully.

• Wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and before and after touching the patient.

• Keep your hands away from your face.

• Cough or sneeze only into a tissue.

• Do not use the patient’s bathroom.

• Do not visit a patient if you feel sick. Do not visit if you have been exposed to an illness such as the flu, chickenpox, or measles.