Vulnerable Groups and Infection Prevention

Vulnerability to Infection

Various groups of people are more susceptible to infections due to factors such as age, overall health, or underlying medical conditions. When infected, individuals in these groups may experience severe, life-threatening symptoms, especially with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

• Examples of vulnerable groups: The elderly, individuals with chronic health conditions, those with poor nutrition, and newborn babies.
• Other risks: People with open wounds, catheters, intravenous drips, ulcers, cuts, or burns on their skin are also more vulnerable to infections.

Preventing Infection Spread

It is crucial to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of infections, as not all carriers of harmful microorganisms exhibit symptoms. Standard precautions should always be followed to minimise infection risk, including:

• Good hand hygiene: Regular and thorough handwashing.
• Correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE): Utilising PPE appropriately.
• Safe waste disposal: Ensuring proper disposal of waste.
• Safe laundry management: Handling laundry safely to prevent contamination.

Personal Responsibility

Individuals also have personal responsibilities in infection prevention:

• Stay up to date with vaccinations: Adhere to the UK vaccination schedule.
• Report illnesses: Inform your manager if you are unwell before reporting to work.
• Avoid work with symptoms: Stay home if experiencing cold or flu symptoms, upset stomach, or skin infections until symptom-free for 48 hours.
• Practice good hygiene habits: Change clothing daily, use disposable aprons and oversleeves, and maintain personal hygiene.
• Minimise contact with pathogens: Avoid unnecessary touching of mouth, nose, hair, biting nails, or handling dirty surfaces with bare hands.

Following proper handwashing techniques and maintaining personal hygiene are essential, especially when caring for vulnerable individuals.