After a serious medical procedure such as invasive surgery, it’s important that you prevent infection as much as possible. Infection could significantly slow down your recovery, and impact the results of your surgical procedure. It’s essential that during your recovery period, you do everything within your power to prevent infections as much as possible. Here are 7 ways you can prevent infection after a serious medical procedure.
Wear Face Masks
Following a serious medical procedure, you will probably need to stay at home as much as possible in order to rest. However, if you do need to leave your home for any reason, you could be putting yourself at risk of infection from others. When you do need to leave your home, it might be a good idea to pop on a disposable face mask in order to lower the risk of you developing an infection. You should have plenty left over from the pandemic, but if you don’t, make sure that you stock up on some before your medical procedure so you can be fully prepared.
Have Good Hand Hygiene
When it was discovered that hand washing prevented serious infections, it caused major controversy and many doctors refused to adopt it in their routines. However, in the modern era, it is widely accepted that hand washing helps to prevent infections. During your recovery period, make sure that you’re regularly washing your hands with antibacterial soap, following the NHS hand washing method to ensure you’ve thoroughly cleaned your hands. This will lower your chances of developing a serious infection.
Keep The Surgical Site Clean
Following a serious medical procedure, you may be told to not shower for a couple of days and to not remove the bandages. However, once you have the all-clear to start showering again, you should take advantage of this as much as possible. Showering and keeping clean is an essential part of your health, and will be incredibly important following a medical procedure. If you don’t keep the surgical site clean, you could be risking serious infection. If you develop an infection, it could significantly impact your healing and could cause serious complications. Instead, make sure you’re changing your bandages and keeping the surgical site clean to have the best recovery and prevent infection after a serious medical procedure.
Get Someone To Clean Your Home
As well as your body and hands, you should keep the area you live in as clean as possible. Following a serious medical procedure, you might not be able to clean your home as much as you usually do. However, if you don’t keep your living areas clean, you could be putting yourself at risk of a serious infection or health problem. When your home is a breeding ground for bacteria, that bacteria is more likely to infiltrate your immune system. Before the procedure, hire a cleaning professional or ask a close family member or friend to clean your home during the healing period.
Eat Well
Making sure you’re eating a diet optimised for recovery is essential if you want to prevent infection after a serious medical procedure. For example, eating a diet that is rich in protein can help your body heal and prevent scarring after a surgical procedure. Furthermore, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables provides vitamins and minerals which bolster your immune system, allowing you to fight off disease much easier. During your recovery period, make sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet that is providing all of the vitamins and nutrients that you might need.
Exercise Well
Following a significant medical procedure, you might be on strict instructions to rest and not do as much exercise. However, if you’re permitted to walk around for a little bit, you should take the opportunity to do so. Once you have been cleared to do more strenuous exercise, you should also make sure to get moving. Exercise is crucial for the health of your immune system, and helps alleviate stress and anxiety. Bolstering your immune system through exercising well is one of the best ways to prevent infection after a medical procedure. Make sure to check with your doctor before doing any exercise, as some exercises could harm you rather than help you.
Get Good Sleep
Rest is essential for your immune system, and if you have poor sleep hygiene, your immune system could be significantly affected. Researchers on plastic surgery in Manchester found that patients who got more sleep were less likely to develop serious infections and complications than patients who had poor sleep hygiene. Make sure your room is dark and cool, and avoid blue light for at least an hour before you go to sleep. This will improve your sleep hygiene, and improve your likelihood of fighting off infection after a medical procedure.
Preventing infection after a surgical procedure or other serious medical event is essential if you want to heal effectively – make sure you follow these tips today.