Viruses are disease causing pathogens that are contagious and spread disease from one person to the other. Once inside the healthy host cell, it replicates at a very high rate and damages the other cells. It also undergoes a high degree of mutations. Hence, it is important to prevent viral infections by controlling the source of infection itself.
Some of the preventive measures used to control viral infections are:
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Personal hygiene by washing hands with soap or sanitizer before eating and after visiting toilet to avoid faecal contamination.
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Overcrowding of places should be avoided
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Covering of foods to avoid contamination
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Proper vector control methods
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Boiling of drinking water for about 15-20 minutes
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Disposable needles and syringes should be preferred. Used needles and syringes should be sterilized.
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Proper aseptic methods should be followed during injection or surgical procedures
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The donors blood should always be tested for Hepatitis A antigen, HIV antigen and Hepatitis B antigen
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Complete screening of blood before transfusion is essential
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Covering the mouth and nose by using handkerchief while coughing or sneezing
