Medical hygiene

thumb|right|Washing one's hands, a form of hygiene, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Hygiene is a set of practices performed to preserve health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases." Personal hygiene refers to maintaining the body's cleanliness. Hygiene activities can be grouped into the following: home and everyday hygiene, personal hygiene, medical hygiene, sleep hygiene, and food hygiene. Home and every day hygiene includes hand was

Hungarian physician, early pioneer of antiseptic procedures (1818–1865)

British surgeon and antiseptic pioneer (1827–1912)

reduction of human social interaction in an effort to prevent the spread of infectious disease

act of cleaning one's hands

oro-nasal cover worn by health professionals to reduce spread of airborne pathogens

alternative/supplement to hand washing. Destroys microorganisms/prevents transmission of pathogens

particulate respirator that meets the N95 standard of the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

nosocomial infection

thumb|Hand scrubbing procedure for surgery Asepsis is the state of being free from disease-causing micro-organisms (such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses, pathogenic fungi, and parasites). There are two categories of asepsis: medical and surgical. The modern day notion of asepsis is derived from the older antiseptic techniques, a shift initiated by different individuals in the 19th century who introduced practices such as the sterilizing of surgical tools and the wearing of surgical gloves during operations. The goal of asepsis is to eliminate infection, not to achieve sterility. Ideally, an op

single-use glove worn during medical examinations and procedures

thumb|A handmade sachet containing lavender. thumb|

medical field concerned with preventing healthcare-associated infection, a practical sub-discipline of epidemiology

method of providing drug users with uninfected equipment

medical facility

isolation technique used in hospitals and medical centers to prevent cross-contamination

electrical devices which use dry heat to sterilize

lightweight, washable clothing worn by hospital staff or other medical personnel

accidental puncture of skin causing contamination

standard preventive measures to be taken by professional and other health personnel in contact with persons afflicted with a communicable disease

health measures to avoid contracting an infection

French physician and surgeon (1845-1908)

British public health slogan

surfaces with antimicrobial copper coatings

prevention of infection complications using antimicrobial therapy