Diseases and ConditionsCommon Infectious Diseases Glossary -
Infectious Diseases Pediatric Diseases and ConditionsInfectious
Diseases Online Resources - Infectious Diseases in Children The
health care professionals who take care of you are exposed to
many different illnesses and diseases. By taking proper
precautions, these health care professionals protect both
themselves as well as their patients. The following are some of
the basic precautions that can decrease the risk of infectious
disease exposure in a health care setting: Proper disposal of
needles into specific sharps disposal containers is very
important. According to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, most needlestick
injuries occur during the following five activities: When
disposing of needles When administering injections When drawing
blood When recapping needles (not allowed) When handling trash
and dirty linens It is important to use protective barriers such
as gloves (latex or nonlatex), gowns, masks,