Illness Prevention and Body Defense Mechanisms
Vaccines are one way that illness can be prevented. Vaccines provide a specific defense mechanism. A specific defense mechanism means that the body has made antibodies to prevent illness caused by a specific germ. Another way of obtaining a specific defense is by contracting the actual illness. When the body is exposed to an infectious illness, it develops antibodies against that specific illness.
There are many vaccines available today to prevent disease. In the United States, there are programs to help pay for childhood vaccines. Most healthcare employers offer free vaccination to their employees. Vaccination is offered because it is much cheaper to pay for a vaccine than to pay for outbreaks of illness, some of which can cause death. Vaccines prevent infectious disease outbreaks and provide many people with the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.
It is important for healthcare workers to become vaccinated. Healthcare workers help clients who are already sick and have weakened immune systems. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases occur randomly and frequently. Healthcare workers who are not vaccinated against these diseases place themselves, their families, their coworkers, and their clients at risk for illness and even death.
Immunizations Strongly Recommended by the CDC for Healthcare Workers
| Vaccine | How Many and How Often |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Series of three, normally only one time |
| Influenza | One every year |
| MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) | Series of two, normally only one time |
| Varicella (chicken pox) | Series of two, normally only one time |
| Pertussis | One dose of Tdap as an adult |
| COVID-19 | If not up to date, receive COVID-19 vaccine according to current CDC recommendations |
There are also nonspecific defense mechanisms that keep us healthy. Nonspecific defense mechanisms are natural ways that keep germs from entering the body. Nonspecific defense mechanisms protect us from many different types of germs. They are not specialized to work against just one. Nonspecific defense mechanisms that the body has include intact skin, cilia in the lungs and nose, tears, mucus in the nose, and the normal bacteria of the digestive system.
Nonspecific defense mechanisms are helped or harmed by lifestyle choices. When positive lifestyle choices are made, the body becomes stronger and can fight infections. Negative lifestyle choices weaken the body’s defenses, and make illness likely. For example, if someone chooses to smoke, the cilia in the nose and respiratory tract are harmed. This makes it more likely that germs will invade the respiratory tract. If a person chooses to sunbathe without wearing sunscreen, the skin can burn, blister, and open up. This provides an open portal for germs to enter the body. There are many ways to keep the body healthy and to prevent spreading illness to others by supporting both specific and nonspecific defense mechanisms.
Healthy lifestyle choices for the healthcare worker:
- Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night
- Exercising at least three times per week
- Avoiding tobacco products and street drugs
- Avoiding binge drinking
- Participating in relaxation exercises
- Eating nutritious meals
- Establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends
- Taking time for yourself
- Staying home when sick
- Staying current with vaccines, including an influenza vaccine every year
- Consistent hand hygiene both in and out of work