Preventing infection saves lives
Infection makes people sick and can even kill them. It is one of the most common
causes of death after childbirth. Procedures that involve putting medical tools
inside a woman’s womb, like inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) or doing
manual vacuum aspiration (MVA), can also cause infection. Much of the work of a
midwife, and any procedure inside the womb (invasive procedure), can only be
safe if you are able to follow the steps we outline in this chapter to prevent
infection.
Germs can live on
tools, even tools
that look clean.
This chapter explains how to avoid infection by killing or
controlling harmful germs. Germs are organisms that carry
sickness. Germs are everywhere, but
they are so small that they can only be
seen with a microscope. The dangerous
germs in blood, stool, body fluids
(like semen and amniotic waters), and dirt
can cause serious sickness when they get Germs live in
into someone’s body.
body fluids,
like blood.
Infection is caused by germs
Some sicknesses, like arthritis, diabetes, asthma, and epilepsy, are not caused by
germs. They cannot be passed from one person to another.
Other sicknesses, like measles, hepatitis, tetanus, womb infection, HIV, and the
flu, are called infections and are caused by germs. People get sick when the germs
that cause these infections get inside their bodies.
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