by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: November 16, 2009

H1N1, Infection Prevention and Control

The H1N1 pandemic has brought to light the reality that infection control continues to be vital for individual, family, community, regional, country and global health. Understanding the medical science behind infection control is important, because it also involves the realm of infection prevention.

By definition, what is infection control?

Infection control is the discipline concerned with preventing the spread of infections within the health-care setting. (1)

A broader understanding of the concept referred to as 'health-care setting,' is invariably much larger, in fact it is global in scope, because an infection contracted by one individual, can spread to others or all around the word, very rapidly.

In a recent recap of the H1N1 pandemic that started in Mexico, this became evident very quickly. Immediate action on the part of medical scientists and other health care professionals was essential.

What are some of the various aspects of infection control?

Infection control concerns itself both with prevention (hand hygiene/hand washing, cleaning/disinfection/sterilization, vaccination, surveillance) and with investigation and management of demonstrated or suspected spread of infection within a particular health-care setting (e.g. outbreak investigation). It is on this basis that the common title being adopted, within health care is 'Infection Prevention & Control'." (2)

Infection control is also a part of the greater discipline known as epidemiology.

What is epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations, and serves as the foundation and logic of interventions made in the interest of public health and preventative medicine. (3)

Epidemiology leads into the realm of more advanced, medical scientific research, particularly where it pertains to public health, on a larger regional or global scale.

Part of the role of epidemiologists includes that of documenting and tracking pertinent medical evidence, with regard to potential risk factors and determining what would be appropriate measures for health care professionals and others to take with regard to effective treatment. This also includes both infection control and prevention.

This would how the announcement of the H1N1 pandemic came about.

With regard to epidemics and pandemics, where does the individual fit into the larger picture?

One must suggest that at no time, should medical scientists ever lose sight of the individual or family, with regard to infection control. Infection spreads from individuals to families, then to communities, various regions in different countries and potentially around the globe, unless there is appropriate preventative action taken immediately to control the spread of infection.

One might suggest that epidemiology leads right back to the local hospital or clinical setting, wherein health care is essentially on a more personal level. Care, compassion and concern are important on every level.

What can and should individuals do in order to control infection?

These kinds of guidelines are available from family doctors and other health care professionals, community health organizations and health-oriented educational facilities. There is also information available on the internet, with regard to infection control and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases.

Infection control is everyone's concern, not just medical scientists, but medical scientists do play an important role, globally.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection_control

2. Ibid.

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology

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