Warding Off Infection and Germs

​While most germs are harmless due to your immune system constantly protecting you against infectious agents, there are still some that are difficult to eliminate. Understand how they work and how to ward them off by reading further.

Understanding Infection vs. Disease
The difference between infection and disease is that the former often occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and start multiplying, which then eventually causes disease. The latter, however, occurs when you have damaged cells in your body due to the infection. Signs and symptoms of a specific illness then begin to appear.

Your immune system immediately springs into actions as a response to the infection. Armies of antibodies, white blood cells, and other mechanisms begin to work to eliminate the cause of disease. For example, sneezing, coughing, and fever might be your body’s reaction to fight off the common cold.

Warding Off Germs and Infection
If you want to stay disease-free, you will have to prevent infections by using simple tactics. These include regularly washing your hands, cleaning often-touched surfaces, getting vaccinations, avoiding close contact with sick people, taking the appropriate medications, and avoiding contaminated water and food.

• Hand Washing
  Although people often overlook hand washing, it is still among the most effective and most natural ways to protect yourself from most infections and germs. Always wash your hands thoroughly after sneezing or coughing, before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, and after changing a diaper. If you don’t have access to soap and water, you may use rubbing alcohol or hand-sanitizing gels that are alcohol-based as another form of protection.
  
  
• Vaccines
  Getting vaccinated is your best line of defense from particular diseases. While scientists and researchers understand more about the causes of certain conditions, the number of preventable illnesses by vaccines also continues to increase. Children typically receive vaccines, but adults still need regular vaccinations to prevent diseases, including influenza and tetanus.
  
  
• Medicines
  Some medications provide short-term protection from specific germs. For instance, if you take an anti-parasitic drug, you will be kept from getting infected with malaria, especially if you live in or travel to a high-risk area.
  
  

When to Seek Medical Care
You can seek medical care if you show these potential symptoms that make you suspect you have an infection:

• Periods of rapid heartbeat
• Swelling
• Rashes accompanied by fever
• Persistent vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Blurred vision

 
Other than the tactics mentioned above for protecting your health, you can also protect yourself from carrying financial burdens. Health care is quite expensive these days, which is why it is always recommended to invest in a promising health insurance plan.

At Insurance Marketplace, Inc., we do our best in making sure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (541) 779-0177 or Click Here to request a free quote.