Chapter 1. HYGIENE

Definition of Hygiene Hygiene (which comes from the name of the Greek goddess of health, Hygieia), is a set of practices performed for the preservation of health. The definition of hygiene is the science and practice of maintaining good health through cleanliness.

Definition of Infection Infection is the invasion of a host organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to these organisms and the toxins they produce.

Sources of Infection Contact transmission Air-borne transmission Vehicle transmission Vector transmission Trans-placental transmission Through disease carriers Genetic transmission

Carrier of infection Incubatory carrier- a person capable of transmitting an infectious agent to others during the incubation period of the disease. Contact carrier-a person who is in contact with an infected person and carries the germs identical to the disease causing germs. Convalescent carrier-a person who is clinically recovered from an infectious disease but still capable of transmitting the infectious agent to others. Chronic carrier-an individual who acts as host to pathogenic organisms for an extended period without displaying any signs of disease.

Control of Infection Notification Isolation Quarantine Disinfection Immunization Improvement in sanitary conditions Health Education

Immunization Schedule in India