4
Stay up-to-date with your vaccines, meaning that you have
gotten all the vaccines that are recommended for you.
Encourage visitors to be up-to-date with their vaccines too.
Ask visitors not to come to the hospital if they have any
symptoms of an infection. Ask visitors to follow all instructions
during their visit. They may be asked to wear masks, gowns, or
gloves, or to follow specific hand washing procedures.
If you smoke, talk to your healthcare team about resources that
are available to help you quit. Patients who smoke get more
infections.
Recognize common symptoms of HAIs and report them:
• Fever
• Unusual pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling around the location of
your medical device or your surgical wound
• Signs of dehydration (peeing less than normal, fewer wet diapers
than usual, dry mouth or throat, head pain, crying with few or no
tears).
Protect yourself from infections before and after you return
home:
• Take medicines exactly as prescribed.
• Follow any specific instructions for bathing and taking care of your
mouth (oral care).
• Clean your hands often.
• Get all the vaccines that are recommended for you.
• Have those who live with you or visit you clean their hands often.
• Understand how to care for any medical devices that you take home.
• If you had surgery, understand how to care for your wound.
• Have a list of who on your healthcare team to contact if you have
questions or problems.
• Follow all care instructions.
• If you develop new symptoms or if symptoms return, contact your
healthcare team immediately.
