Hygiene is a set of practices and conditions aimed at maintaining health and preventing the spread of diseases. It broadly includes personal habits such as washing hands, bathing, grooming nails, and cleaning clothes, as well as keeping living and working environments clean. According to the World Health Organization, hygiene helps preserve health and avoid infections by breaking the chain of infection transmission. There are different aspects of hygiene, including:
- Personal hygiene: Practices to keep the body clean, such as washing hands, bathing, oral care, and respiratory hygiene.
- Home hygiene: Keeping the home and everyday environments clean to prevent disease spread, including kitchen and bathroom hygiene.
- Medical hygiene: Sterilization, hand hygiene, and safe disposal of medical waste.
- Food hygiene: Ensuring cleanliness when handling and preparing food.
- Sleep hygiene and mental hygiene: Related to maintaining health in those specific areas.
Hygiene is more than just cleanliness—it involves behaviors and routines that reduce exposure to harmful germs and contribute to overall health. Good hygiene is essential for preventing many infectious diseases and is often regarded as socially responsible behavior. In summary, hygiene is about conditions and practices that maintain cleanliness, promote health, and prevent disease transmission through personal and environmental care. It encompasses habits like handwashing, bathing, cleaning, and safe food handling, all crucial for healthy living.