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95
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The Control of Infectious Diseases
The effective control of any infection is only achieved by establishing
a balance between the various weapons at the community's disposal and
no one factor is of primary importance. Also, unless the Health Department
maintains a good relationship with the general public it cannot
confidently expect the individual members of the community to play their
part and without their whole-hearted co-operation it is impossible to
control any infection. Consequently, good public relations are an essential
factor and to achieve this it is necessary to interfere as little as possible
with the economic and social life, although from time to time restrictions
have to be imposed upon individuals.
Early recognition and notification are obviously of great importance
as once the information is received enquiries can be made by the staff of
the department at the home, school, or place of work and families alerted
as to the dangers and nece'ssary precautions. Aids to diagnosis, such as
the Public Health Laboratory Service, or the obtaining of a second
medical opinion are often invaluable in obtaining rapid and accurate
diagnosis.
It is often necessary to isolate patients at their own homes or, should
the occasion warrant it, in hospital. In all cases of infectious disease it is a
prudent precaution for those affected to avoid crowds or places of assembly.
Moreover some infections are severe enough to justify the exclusion of
contracts from their occupations, especially if these involve contact with
young children or the handling of food or drink. Infection by typhoid or
paratyphoid bacilli tends to result in the production of the carrier state and
individuals so affected must be prevented from any work involving the
handling of food or drink intended for human consumption.
Disinfection and cleansing are carried out wherever necessary by the
Department, as is the destruction of contaminated articles of food.