Health and Hygiene

“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ‘Health is a state of complete mental, physical and social well being and not merely an absence of a disease or infirmity’. Being healthy means having a body that is fit and a mind that is active, whereas hygiene refers to the science and practice of maintaining good health. It requires caring for one’s own body and taking proper care of surroundings in order to prevent the spread of harmful diseases. Personal hygiene is the practice of keeping yourself clean and social hygiene refers to the cleanliness of our surroundings as well as public places such as malls, public toilets, garbage bins, and so on. Besides eating a balanced diet, it is important to protect yourself by maintaining proper personal and social cleanliness within and around yourself.”

Some Common Examples of Maintaining Proper Hygiene are

• The practice of washing hands with soap after using the toilets is very important.
• Hair should be kept clean by frequent combing and washing. This keeps it free from head lice.
• One must breathe by the nose and not by mouth. While sneezing or coughing one should use a handkerchief in front of the mouth.
• Handkerchiefs and Undergarments should be washed on daily basis.
• A daily bath regularly keeps the skin clean and free of germs and opens the sweat pores which are given out by perspiration.

Two Main Types of Hygiene are

1. Simple Personal Hygiene
2. Social Hygiene and Sanitation

Simple Personal Hygiene 

• Some physical exercise is necessary for all age groups, especially children and aged people. Long walks and physical exercise should be systematic and regular. It helps and improves blood circulation.
• Every organ of our body needs proper diet and sleep including our brain. The amount of sleep varies with age group. For adults 6-7 hours of continuous sleep is sufficient.
• Tobacco stimulants and sedatives are unnecessary and spoil habits.
• Drinking alcoholic beverages is harmful to one’s own body as well as to society.
• The living rooms should be well-ventilated for fresh air and sunlight.

Social Hygiene and Sanitation

• All public places should be kept clean and free from germs such as schools, malls, buildings, bathrooms, and so on.
• All public garbage and drains must be covered and some disinfectants such as bleaching powder, lime, etc., must be frequently sprinkled.
• The municipalities must ensure the supply of clean germ-free drinking water and efficient sewage disposal.
• Eatable items such as foods and drinking beverages should be kept well protected and covered from houseflies.
• Breeding places and houses should be sprayed with DDT and other insecticides.

Factors that Contribute to Good Health

Communicable diseases can be prevented by maintaining personal and social hygiene and avoiding unhealthy lifestyles and foods:

• Drink filtered or boiled water to keep yourself free from bacteria.
• Keep garbage bins covered to avoid viral diseases.
• Don’t share your personal things with anyone. Use your own towels, clothes, and handkerchief.
• Wash your hands with soap before eating.
• Eat foods that are rich in a balanced diet.
• Drink pasteurized milk or boil it thoroughly before drinking.
• Avoid direct contact with a patient suffering from a highly contagious disease such as chickenpox or measles.
• Vaccination is an additional way of boosting immunity against specific diseases such as chickenpox, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis.

Diseases

Any functional or physical changes from a normal state that causes discomfort or disability to the body or the health of a person are known as a disease. Thus a disease is a deviation from the condition of good health. Diseases may be caused by pathogens or by dysfunctions. Diseases are also called medical conditions that are associated with various signs and symptoms. Diseases refer to any condition that causes distress, death, and pain. For example- including various forms of hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, allergies, and disorders. Diseases can be prevented by following good hygienic personal habits, keeping your surroundings clean, and by eating a balanced diet.

Some Deficiency Diseases are Caused due to Lack of Vitamins

Vitamin	Deficiency Disease	Vitamin Sources
A	Night blindness	papaya, mango, fish, vegetables, and egg
B	Beriberi	yeast, eggs, unpolished rice
C	Scurvy	gooseberry, tomato, citrus fruits
D	Rickets	milk, eggs, and skin makes it under sunlight
E	Skin and reproductive system are affected	wheat germ, milk, fish, meat
K	Excessive bleeding	cabbage, spinach, soybean

FAQs on Hygiene

Question 1: Name the Types of Diseases.

Answer:

There are two types of diseases:

• Communicable diseases
• Non-communicable diseases

Question 2: What are Communicable Diseases?

Answer:

Communicable diseases are diseases that can be passed on by an infected person to a healthy person directly or indirectly. It can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected person. For example- typhoid, cholera, rabies, malaria, and so on.

Question 3: What are Pathogens?

Answer:

Microorganisms that cause diseases are called pathogens. It is an organism causing the disease to its host. Viruses, protozoans, bacteria, and fungi are all potential pathogens. They are also called an infectious agent or a germ.