Infection Control

Learn different ways to manage stress and improve your wellbeing while dealing with the COVID-19 virus outbreak and understand ways you can limit your risk of infection. © U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Learn about coronavirus (COVID-19) and its symptoms, how it spreads, how to prevent it from spreading, and how it is treated. © U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Watch this video to learn about the long-term health effects that can be associated with COVID-19 including lung-related diseases, severe exhaustion and autoimmune conditions.

Watch this video to learn the importance of washing your hands often to prevent the spread of infections in your community.

Watch this video to understand the difference between isolation and quarantine if you're exposed to COVID-19.

Watch this video to remember to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of illness.

Watch this video to learn the difference between COVID-19, cold, flu and allergy symptoms.

Watch this video to learn what a weakened immune system is and what steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick.

Watch this video to learn what a ventilator is and how it is used to save patients' lives.

Watch this video to learn the importance of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19, how to choose a mask, and the proper way to wear it.

Keeping your hands clean is the best way to prevent getting or spreading germs. This video shows you what to do.

Here are the steps to correctly wash your hands.

Here are the steps for changing a wound dressing.

Here are the steps for putting on sterile gloves.

Here are the steps for removing sterile gloves.

Here are the steps for using a hand sanitizer to clean your hands.

Watch this video to learn simple strategies to protect yourself from getting and spreading infections during your hospital stay.

Watch this video to learn how personal protective equipment can protect you from infections.

This video will show how personal protective equipment can help protect against infection while visiting others in the hospital.

Learn how to wash your hands correctly and completely.

Watch this video to learn how to properly wash your hands to fight off an infection.

Watch this video to learn how to properly use hand sanitizer to help prevent the spread of germs and protect your family from getting sick.

Learn how to use Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) disposable cloths to prevent infection.

Watch this video to understand the common signs and symptoms of infections, and the treatment methods often used to heal them.

Watch this video to learn simple strategies to help prevent the spread of germs and infection during your at-home recovery.

Watch this video to learn about how using an Incentive Spirometer exercises your lungs after surgery, helps to prevent infections and improves lung function.

Watch this video to learn how to prevent the spread of germs and how to recognize the signs of infection while recovering from surgery.

Bloodstream Infections can be a life-threatening complication during a hospital stay. Patients are an important part of the teamwork necessary for prevention. Learn how infections in the bloodstream occur and what can patients can do to help prevent them.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections. Learn more about MRSA and simple steps you can take to protect yourself or a loved one.

Veterans Health Administration provides education to all patients on protecting themselves from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other infections while in the hospital. To achieve the best results in preventing patients from contracting MRSA, it is important that the patient take an active role in his or her own care. Watch this program to learn more about the prevention and treatment of MRSA.

In Part 2, you will learn more about the prevention and treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

A ventilator can be a lifesaving machine that helps patients who cannot breathe on their own, but conditions requiring ventilator use can also increase a patient's chance of getting an infection. This program will talk about the risk of infections that may occur with ventilator use as well as the steps healthcare personnel should take to prevent such infections.

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci, or VRE, is a resistant bacteria that can sometimes cause infections of the urinary tract, the bloodstream or wounds. This program will explain some simple things patients can do to protect themselves from VRE.

Every year in the United States, more people die from healthcare-associated infections than from breast cancer, car accidents and AIDS combined. Proper hand cleansing by everyone who comes in contact with a patient can lower the risk of getting a deadly infection.

A clean and sanitized hospital room is critical for preventing the spread of infection. Learn what to expect from the visit of an Environmental Services Professional who cleans and disinfects your room. Patients will also discover what they and their families can do to assist in keeping their environment clean and safe.

After surgery, it's very important to guard against infection, especially at the site of the incision, or surgical wound. This program will teach patients signs of infection to watch out for and what they can do to help prevent infection after surgery.

Infection prevention is no game. In Speak Up™ to Prevent Infection, Diego takes simple but critical steps to protect himself and his grandmother from harmful infections.

C. difficile is an infection from bacteria that can grow in your digestive tract and cause symptoms, such as severe diarrhea and even hospitalization. Watch this video to learn how to protect yourself against this infection.

Watch this video to learn simple tips to prevent an infection while in the hospital and at home including washing your hands and keeping your incision clean.

There's been a rapid rise in the emergence of bacteria that don't respond to traditional antibiotics. This makes bacterial infections a serious threat. This program will describe signs that an antibiotic may not be working as well as steps your healthcare providers can take to help prevent the development of resistance to antibiotics.

An IV delivers fluids and medicine to the body. Unfortunately, they can also result in a serious infection if not maintained properly. Health care professionals, patients and their families must all work together to prevent these dangerous conditions.

Watch this program to learn about the flu virus, the importance of getting vaccinated, and treatment options.

Infections caused by ESBL usually affect the urinary tract and gut (intestine). They can also infect wounds and the blood.

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to not get bitten by a tick. Here's what you need to know about prevention, and what to do if you have a tick.

The best prevention is to not have contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Personal hygiene is about keeping your body clean and healthy. Good personal hygiene can make you less likely to become sick. It also helps you look and feel your best.

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a parasite. Learn about how the infection is spread, as well as treatment and prevention.

Certain infections can spread from person to person. This is why your friend or family member may be put in a special room at the hospital. Here's what you need to know to keep you and your loved one safe.

Here are images that show the steps of hand washing.

Many germs that cause a GI infection can be spread through touch. Here's how to prevent their spread.

Sometimes, a wound that has been sutured becomes infected. If this happens, the sutures will need to be removed so that the wound can heal properly.

Watch this video to learn about how healthcare providers treat Sepsis and the long recovery process.

Watch this to learn about the symptoms of sepsis and how to prevent it.

Learn about the symptoms of sepsis so you can get help right away.

This is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can cause you to be mildly sick for weeks or months. But even after you feel better, the virus can stay inside your body. It can slowly harm your liver over many years.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis A virus is one of five that cause this disease. This video takes a closer look at hepatitis A—how it is spread and what you can do to prevent its transmission.

Hepatitis B is one of five virus types that cause hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is considered a sexually transmitted infection. This video takes an in-depth look at hepatitis B—how common it is, how it is spread, and what you can do to prevent its transmission.

The hepatitis C virus is another type of hepatitis virus that causes an inflammation of the liver. HCV is transmitted though exposure to infected blood or blood products. In this video, you'll find out more about how it's transmitted, what treatments are available, and what you can do to protect yourself from this disease.

This is an infectious disease commonly called "the flu." It targets your respiratory system. For some people, an influenza infection can be very serious.

Mononucleosis is an acute infectious disease that affects the respiratory system, the liver, and the lymphatic system. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. This video looks at who is at risk for this infection and typical symptoms to watch for.

Watch this video to learn what to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 including getting tested or what to do if you are caring for someone who is sick.

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus that causes a respiratory illness. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.

If you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, stay home.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. It happens when your body responds with widespread inflammation to a bad infection, or to bacteria in your bloodstream. Read on to learn about symptoms, risk factors, and what to expect.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

The flu is an infection that affects your respiratory tract. This tract includes your mouth, nose, and lungs, and the passages between them. Unlike a cold, the flu can make you very ill.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) bacteria can be very harmful. They affect the intestinal tract. They can cause symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to severe inflammation of the large intestine (colon). Read on to learn about how this infection is caused, diagnosed, and treated--and how to prevent it.

Gastroenteritis is often called the stomach flu. Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria, and often causes severe symptoms. Read on to learn more, including how it can be spread, prevention, symptoms, and treatment.

Learn about MRSA, a type of staph infection that's hard to treat.

Bacteria that resist treatment with more than one antibiotic are called multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). MDROs mainly affect people in hospitals and long-term care facilities. But they are also spreading among healthy children and adults. Read on to learn more.

Cat scratch disease is an illness caused by bacteria that many cats carry. You can get it by petting an infected cat and rubbing your eyes. Or you can get it from a flea bite from an infected cat. Read on for details.

This illness is caused by the bacteria in a tick bite. Symptoms usually show up 1 to 2 weeks after you are bitten.

Malaria is caused by a parasite passed on through a mosquito bite. Malaria is rare in the U.S., but travelers are at risk for this disease.

Rabies is a virus that infects the nerves and the brain. It is spread in the saliva of an infected animal. Rabies can be treated. Untreated rabies is almost always fatal.

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the anthrax bacteria.

Inhalation anthrax occurs after breathing in anthrax spores in the air. Not everyone who has been exposed will get sick.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection most often passed during the bite of a deer tick. Symptoms may appear in stages over a long period of time. Read on to learn more.

Lymphangitis is an inflammation of lymph channels. It is caused by infected lymph fluid traveling from a site of infection.

Damage to the lymph vessels stops lymph fluid from draining properly, leading to lymphedema. Symptoms include heaviness, stiffness, or aching in a limb, as well as swelling and redness.

Typhoid fever is caused by bacteria in the Salmonella family. Early symptoms include chills, sweating, dry cough, headache, body aching, and abdominal pain. A high fever may then develop.

A viral illness often lasts 1 to 2 weeks, but sometimes it lasts longer. In some cases, a more serious infection can look like a viral syndrome in the first few days of the illness. You may need another exam and additional tests to know the difference. Read on for more details.

A virus is the most common cause of illness among children. This can cause many different symptoms, depending on what part of the body is affected.

People may become infected with West Nile virus (WNV) when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Most WNV infections are very mild or cause no symptoms at all.

People may become infected with West Nile virus when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Most WNV infections are very mild or cause no symptoms at all.

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox may get shingles later in life.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a type of treatment to help wounds heal. During the treatment, a device lowers air pressure on the wound.

Here are imaging showing how to change the dressing on a wound.

An animal bite can cause a wound deep enough to break the skin. In addition to wound care, a tetanus shot may be given, if needed. Read on to learn more.

A dog bite can cause a wound deep enough to break the skin. Learn about caring for the wound and special concerns such as rabies prevention.

If the bandage becomes wet or dirty, replace it. Otherwise, leave it in place for the first 24 hours. Then follow these guidelines to care for your injury at home.

Learn how to care for your wound and change an absorbable gelatin dressing.

Learn how to care for yourself at home after a human bite wound.

If your wound was sewn closed, you shouldn't have to change the dressing more than twice a day in the first few days. Follow these home care instructions after your wound check.

Infection after surgery often affects just the top layers of skin. Sometimes the infection is deeper in the wound and may include a collection of fluid or pus. Treatment will depend on the type of infection you have.

It is normal to have some clear or bloody discharge on the wound covering or bandage for the first few days after surgery. Bleeding or discharge requiring frequent dressing changes can be a sign of a problem. Read on for details.

A wound that has become infected will not heal properly unless the infection is cleared. Infection in a wound may also spread if it is not treated.