The best thing you can do to prevent an infection is to limit your exposure to pathogens. The next best thing is to keep your immune system as strong as possible. Read through the following list of statements and check whether each is mostly true or mostly false for you.


True or False
Exposure to Pathogens
I receive drinking water from a clean supply.
The area in which I live has adequate sewage treatment.
I frequently wash my hands with soap and warm water for at least 10-20 seconds.
I avoid close contact with people who are infectious with diseases transmitted via the respiratory route (e. g., influenza, chickenpox, and tuberculosis).
I do not inject drugs.
 
When Outdoors
When hiking or camping, I do not drink water from streams, rivers, or lakes without first purifying it.
I avoid contact with ticks, mosquitoes, rodents, bats, and other disease carriers.
When hiking in the woods or playing in a yard in an area where Lyme disease or other tickborne infections have been reported, I take appropriate precautions:
 
Wear light-colored clothing: long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and closed shoes.
Tuck my pants into my socks, shoes, or boots.
Tuck my shirt into my pants.
Wear light-colored, tightly woven fabrics.
Wear a hat.
Stay near the center of trails.
Check myself daily for ticks.
Shower and shampoo after each outing.
Wash clothes and check equipment after each outing.
Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridan, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on my skin and/or a spray containing permethrin on my clothing.
If I discover a tick attached to my skin, I remove it immediately in an appropriate manner (fill in):
 


True or False
In a Sexual Relationship
I am in a monogamous relationship with a mutually faithful, uninfected partner.
I use condoms.
I discuss STDs and prevention with new partners.
I avoid engaging in high-risk behaviors with any person who might carry HIV.
 
In the Kitchen
I wash my hands thoroughly with warm soapy water before and after handling food.
I don't let groceries sit in a warm car.
I avoid buying food in containers that leak, bulge, or are severely dented.
I use separate cutting boards for meat and for foods that will be eaten raw.
I thoroughly clean all equipment (cutting boards, counters, utensils) before and after use.
I rinse and scrub fresh fruits and vegetables carefully to remove all dirt.
I cook all foods thoroughly, especially beef, poultry, fish, pork, and eggs.
I verify that hamburgers are cooked to 160°F (71°C) with a food thermometer.
I store foods below 40°F (5°C).
I do not leave cooked or refrigerated foods at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
I thaw foods in the refrigerator or microwave.
I use only pasteurized milk and juice.
I avoid coughing or sneezing over foods, even when I'm healthy.
I cover any cuts on my hands when handling food.
 
To Keep Your Immune System Healthy
I eat a balanced diet, following the guidelines presented in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
I maintain a healthy weight.
I get enough sleep, 6-8 hours per night.
I exercise regularly.
I don't smoke, and I drink alcohol only in moderation.
I wash my hands frequently.
I have effective ways of coping with stress.
I get all recommended immunizations and booster shots.
For people with heart valve disorders that place them at increased risk of infection: I check with my health care provider about antibiotic use before dental or surgical procedures and before body piercings.

False answers indicate areas where you could change your behavior to help avoid infectious diseases. Consider creating a behavior change strategy for any statement you checked as false.