Contracting the disease in the hospital, even though he was healthy. How come?

You may never have thought that you could catch a disease when you visited the hospital. However, this is possible if we are not careful. Take it easy, this article will provide tips to keep you safe and avoid the risk of contracting a disease in the hospital.

Getting sick at the hospital even though it's only visiting relatives or just having a check-up, how come?

The spread of infectious diseases in hospitals and other health care institutions is referred to as nosocomial infections or often referred to as hospital infections. There is also one other term that describes the transmission of a new disease in hospitalized patients, namely hospital acquired infection (HI). The next question is, how come you contracted a disease in the hospital? Aren't the hospitals (supposed to be) the most sterile of viruses and disease-causing germs?

All hospitals basically have infection control and prevention procedures in place, and every staff working there will be obliged to implement every precaution to avoid infection. However, the risk of infection is never completely avoided. Even though they seem clean and sterile, hospitals are actually ideal hotbeds for many infectious diseases that lurk every visitor.

Bacteria, fungi and viruses are spread primarily through person-to-person contact. Cases of contracting the disease in hospitals also arise when there is involvement of dirty hands, and medical equipment such as catheters, breathing machines, and other hospital equipment. That is why the most common and susceptible spread of infection occurs in intensive care units (ICU), emergency units (UGD), and wards where doctors treat patients with serious illnesses.

Who is at risk for nosocomial infections?

Some of the common diseases that spread in the hospital setting are bloodstream infections (caused by S. aureus), surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), kidney infections, and respiratory infections.

In general, everyone who frequently visits hospitals and other health facilities is at risk of contracting the disease in the hospital. It is estimated that about 1 in 10 people who visit the hospital will contract certain infections.

However, some people have a higher risk of contracting nosocomial infections than others. Your risk of getting infected can also increase if:

• Have a one-room stay with other people who are at risk of passing on the nosocomial infection.
• Taking antibiotics for a long time.
• Weak immune system.
• Been in the ICU for quite a long time.
• Using a urinary catheter.
• Advanced age, especially if over 70 years.
• Experiencing coma or loss of consciousness.

A study states that the ICU of children has a higher risk of spreading nosocomial infections, which is up to 6.1-29.6 percent. Then, nearly 11% of the 300 people who undergo surgery will usually also contract surgical wound infection (SSI).

Tips to prevent contracting the disease in the hospital

Always remember that it is better to prevent than to cure. So before visiting a hospital or other health facility service, it's a good idea to know the right prevention methods so that you avoid the risk of contracting the disease in the hospital.

How:

• Maintain cleanliness by always washing hands before and after going to the hospital; before and after entering the hospital ward, and interacting with patients when visiting; and before and after touching any medical equipment.
• Clean hands with alcohol spray.
• Wear appropriate equipment, such as headgear, mask and gloves, if you want to enter certain rooms in the hospital.
• For hospitalized patients:
  • Try to use the catheter only when it is needed, and remove it when it is no longer needed.
  • Consult your doctor when you experience new problems or symptoms while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

You should immediately tell your doctor if you experience any complaints or symptoms that are not related to your initial condition before coming to the hospital or being hospitalized in the hospital.