Personal and Community Hygiene: Best Practices and Prevention
According to the World Health Organisation, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, social and mental well- being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
Good health is more important than being free from disease. Healthy people are more efficient, productive and live longer than unfit people. Important factors that contribute to good health are:
Balanced Diet- To maintain a healthy life, one should take a proper well-balanced diet with plenty of water.
Personal Hygiene- A person should live in a clean environment and must follow good personal hygiene. There should be proper disposal of wastes. Clean surroundings prevent the spread of diseases.
Regular Exercise- Along with good food and hygiene exercise is also very important in maintaining good health. Regular exercise and good sleep help a person to remain fit, stress-free, and active.
Hygiene
The practices that we follow in our day-to-day lives to maintain good health are known as hygiene. This includes:
Personal hygiene
Community hygiene
Personal Hygiene- The following practices should be followed every day to remain Healthy:
Washing hands before and after eating
Regular toilet habits
Cleaning teeth
Bathing on a regular basis
Wearing clean and comfortable clothes
Drinking clean water
Keeping house clean and insect free
Cooking in clean utensils
Community Hygiene- The environment in which we live plays a very important role in keeping us healthy. The practices to keep our surroundings clean should include:
Proper disposal of household wastes
Cleaning of roads and streets
Keeping house clean
Covering dustbins
Spraying insecticides at regular intervals to ward off insects
Disease
Sometimes the human body gets affected due to some environmental, physiological or psychological factors which disturbs the normal functioning of the body organs. This malfunctioning of the human body is called disease. A disease may affect a person not only physically but also emotionally and mentally.
There are Mainly Two Types of Diseases:
Infectious diseases
Non-infectious diseases
Common Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, worms, etc. Based on the causative organisms, these can be classified as under:
The pathogens enter the human body through direct contact, contaminated food and water, and through infectious droplets. They multiply in the body and affect the normal functioning of the body.
Viral Diseases
Common cold
Caused by rhinovirus
Affects nose, bronchioles and respiratory tract
Mainly lasts for 4-5 days
Common symptoms include sore throat, nasal congestion, headache and cough
Spreads by touching infected objects and through droplets during sneezing and coughing.
Hepatitis (Jaundice)
Caused by virus HAV (Hepatitis A Virus)
Affects liver
Common symptoms are high fever, dark yellow urine, loss of appetite, headache, light coloured stool
Spreads through contaminated water
It can be prevented by taking vaccines, drinking boiled and chlorinated water and maintaining proper hygiene.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
Caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus)
Affects the immune system
Common symptoms are swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, loss of memory, night sweating etc
Methods of transmission include:
Using infected needles
Unprotected sexual contact
Transfusion of contaminated blood
From infected mother to unborn child
It can be prevented by avoiding drug abuse, using safe disposable needles, avoiding multiple sex partners, regular medical checkups etc.
2. Bacterial Diseases
a. Typhoid
Caused by bacterium Salmonella typhi
Affects the intestines
Common symptoms are high fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache
Spreads through contaminated food and water
It can be prevented by taking a vaccine.
b. Cholera
Caused by bacterium Vibrio cholerae
Affects the intestines
Common symptoms are dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, weight loss
Spreads through contaminated food and water
It can be prevented by taking vaccines, maintaining personal hygiene and good sanitation.
3. Fungal Diseases
Ringworm
Caused by fungi Microsporum and Trichophyton
Affects skin, nails and scalp
Common symptoms are itching on skin and scalp, dry scaly lesions on skin, nails and scalp
Spreads by direct contact with infected objects
It can be prevented by keeping good personal hygiene.
4. Protozoan Diseases
Malaria
Caused by many species of Plasmodium.
Affects the liver and spleen
Common symptoms are high fever accompanied with chills, enlargement of liver and spleen, loss of appetite, headache
Spreads through the bite of female Anopheles mosquito that transfers the sporozoites of Plasmodium from infected person to a normal person.
It can be controlled by eradicating mosquitoes, using mosquito nets and repellents.
Treated by using chloroquine.
Amoebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery)
Caused by Entamoeba histolytica
Affects the large intestine
Common symptoms are stomach pain and cramps, stool with mucus and blood clots, constipation, diarrhoea
Spreads through contaminated food and water when house flies transmit the parasites from faecal matter of infected people to food.
It can be prevented by drinking clean water, proper disposal of human excreta and covering of cooked food.
5. Helminthic Diseases
Filariasis/ Elephantiasis
Caused by Wuchereria bancrofti
Affects the lymph vessels of legs.
Common symptoms are inflammation of organs, swollen lower legs, thighs and feet resembling elephant’s legs.
Spread through bite of female Culex mosquitoes.
It can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites.
Measures to Prevent Infectious Diseases Include:
Maintaining personal hygiene
Maintaining public hygiene
Taking well balanced diet
Spreading awareness about diseases and drug abuse
Eradication of disease-causing germs
Vaccination and immunization programmes
Immunity
Immunity is a person’s ability to fight against diseases. There are two types of immunity:
Innate Immunity- This is present right from birth. It is non-specific. It consists of many barriers:
Physical Barriers- This includes skin, lining of respiratory tract, gastro-intestinal lining and lining of urino- genital tracts where the germs are trapped in mucus.
Physiological Barriers- This includes acid in the stomach and lysozymes in saliva.
Cellular Barriers- This includes special cells like lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils.
Cytokine Barriers- This includes interferons (a group of proteins produced by viral infected cells) which protect the non-infected cells.
Acquired Immunity- This is acquired after birth either by contracting the disease or by vaccination. It is pathogen specific and can be classified into two types:
Active Immunity occurs when antibodies develop in response to antigens developed during natural infection or by vaccination. It stays for a longer period and is time taking.
Passive Immunity occurs when antibodies develop in response to antigens forcibly injected into our bodies. It stays for a short period and is fast in response.
Vaccines- A vaccine is an antigen (weakened form of germ) which when injected/ swallowed causes the body to resist the disease. It does not cause the disease but helps the body to fight the disease when it is actually attacked by the germs. There are vaccines available against diseases such as polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, measles, hepatitis, small-pox, tetanus etc.
Allergy- Some antigens present in the environment can cause hypersensitive reactions in the immune system.
Such substances are called allergens. Examples include dust mites, pollen grains, animal fur etc.
Common symptoms are rashes, sneezing, runny nose, difficulty in breathing etc.
Antihistamines are used generally to relieve symptoms of allergy.
What Exactly is Health?
According to scientists, health is a condition of total bodily and mental well-being. A healthy person is one who is mentally and physically fit. Hygiene refers to behaviors or habits that promote excellent health and a clean environment.
Every day, we eat a variety of meals. Food is required by all living creatures. Plants and animals both require nourishment in order to flourish. Plants produce their own food, whereas animals rely on the sustenance of others. We all start the day with a healthy breakfast and then eat at least two additional large meals — lunch and dinner.
What is the Source of Food?
Plants and animals provide the majority of the food we consume. We consume several portions of the plant as food. We consume the leaves of certain plants, such as spinach, the seeds of some plants, such as corn, the blooms of other plants, such as broccoli, the stems of some plants, such as potatoes, and the roots of some plants, such as carrots. Animal goods include eggs, milk, and milk products such as butter, ghee, and so on. We also consume the meat of animals such as chicken, fish, and goats. Thus, food may be classified into five categories depending on its utility to our bodies. These foods offer energy, help to grow our bodies, protect them from sickness, and keep us healthy and strong.
Food Components: The five categories or components of food are as follows:
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Vitamins
Minerals
What are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are sometimes referred to as energy-producing foods.
We require energy to do daily activities such as jogging, walking, cycling, and so on.
Carbohydrate-rich foods include potatoes, bananas, corn, sugar, cereals, and so forth.
What are Fats?
Fats, like carbs, are considered energy-giving foods. Excess carbs are converted and stored as fat in our bodies.
Meat, ghee, vegetable oil, milk, butter, cheese, and dried fruits are high in fat.
Although fatty meals are required for the body, an excess of these foods leads to weight problems such as obesity, which leads to cardiac difficulties.
What Exactly are Proteins?
Protein-rich diets are those that aid in the growth and repair of our bodies' muscles and tissues. This is one of the most vital dietary categories. It helps to strengthen muscles and heal damaged tissues in our bodies.
Protein-rich foods include milk, poultry, eggs, fish, soya beans, and so on.
FAQs on Health and Hygiene: Essential Guide for Students
1. What is the main difference between being 'healthy' and practicing good 'hygiene'?
The main difference is that health is the overall state of your body and mind, referring to complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Hygiene, on the other hand, refers to the specific actions and practices, like washing hands or brushing teeth, that you perform to maintain that good health and prevent diseases.
2. What are the most important types of hygiene that a student should know about?
Students should focus on a few key types of hygiene to stay healthy. These include:
- Personal Hygiene: Keeping your body clean, such as daily bathing, handwashing, and oral care.
- Food Hygiene: Ensuring the food you eat is safe by washing fruits/vegetables and avoiding spoiled items.
- Environmental Hygiene: Maintaining cleanliness in your immediate surroundings, like your room, classroom, and home.
3. How does a balanced diet contribute to our overall health?
A balanced diet is crucial because it provides the body with all the essential nutrients in the right amounts. It gives you energy for daily activities, helps in the growth and repair of body tissues, strengthens your immune system to fight off infections, and ensures all your body's systems function correctly.
4. Why is regular exercise considered a pillar of good health, alongside diet and hygiene?
Regular exercise is a pillar of good health because it does things that diet and hygiene alone cannot. It strengthens muscles and bones, improves heart health and blood circulation, helps manage weight, and significantly boosts mental well-being by reducing stress. It makes the body strong and efficient in using the nutrients from food.
5. What is the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases? Can you give some examples?
The key difference is how they spread. Communicable diseases are infectious and can be passed from one person to another, usually through germs like bacteria or viruses. Examples include the common cold, chickenpox, and cholera. Non-communicable diseases cannot be passed from person to person and are often related to lifestyle, genetics, or environmental factors. Examples include diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
6. How exactly does washing hands with soap prevent the spread of diseases?
Washing hands with soap is highly effective because soap molecules have a unique structure. One end of the molecule attaches to water, while the other end attaches to oils and fats, where germs hide. When you lather with soap, it breaks down the germ's outer layer and traps the dirt and germs. Rinsing with water then washes away these trapped germs, preventing them from entering your body.
7. Why is keeping our environment, like our home and school, clean important for preventing diseases?
Keeping our surroundings clean, known as environmental hygiene, is vital because it eliminates places where germs and pests (like mosquitoes and flies) can thrive. A clean environment reduces the risk of indirect contact with pathogens. For example, proper waste disposal prevents the spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid, while clean surfaces reduce the presence of cold and flu viruses.
8. If a person only eats healthy food but never exercises, can they be considered truly healthy?
No, they cannot be considered fully healthy. While a nutritious diet provides the right fuel, exercise is essential for building and maintaining strong muscles, bones, and a healthy heart. Without exercise, the body can become weak, have poor blood circulation, and be prone to weight gain, even with a good diet. True health requires a balance of both proper nutrition and regular physical activity.
