Preventing Infections

Keeping Wounds Clean

Even small wounds can become serious if not cared for properly. Follow these steps to reduce the risk of infection:

1. Wash your hands first

• If possible, wash with soap and safe water
• If no soap, rub hands with ash, sand, or just water — drying with a clean cloth is better than nothing

2. Clean the wound gently

• Use clean running water, bottled water, or boiled and cooled water.
• If water is limited, pour slowly from a clean container
• Do not use dirty water, alcohol, or traditional powders

3. Cover the wound

• Use clean gauze, a dry cloth, or even clean folded fabric if nothing else is available
• Don’t reuse dirty cloths or bandages

4. Keep it clean

• Change the bandage if it gets wet or dirty
• You can remove the covering after a few days if the wound looks dry and closed
• Check the wound once a day

5. Get help if you see signs of infection:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pus or fluid coming out
• Fever or increasing pain

For step-by-step first aid, see our Emergency Woundcare Guide.

If bleeding is severe, go to the Severe Bleeding Guide.

Preventing Skin Infections

1. Keep Skin Clean and Dry

• Wash with clean water when possible
• Focus on underarms, groin, feet, under breasts and between toes
• Dry skin well, especially in skin folds

2. Watch for Infection Signs

• Redness, swelling, hot skin, pus, pain or bad smell
• If you see these signs, try to get medical help
• Also watch for common skin infections that spread easily through close contact, shared clothes, or sleeping close together:
• Ringworm: itchy, round rash with clear centre and red edges
• Scabies: intense itching, especially at night; small bumps in lines (between fingers, wrists, waist)

3. Avoid Sharing Personal Items

• Try not to share towels or clothing if possible — but if you must:
  • Sun-dry them often to help kill germs
  • Shake out blankets and clothes regularly to keep them fresher
• If someone has a visible skin infection or rash, try to give them separate bedding or a cloth to sleep on
• Do not share razors — they can spread infections through small cuts
  

4. Cover Cuts and Scratches

• Clean with safe water and cover with clean cloth or dressing
• Change if dirty or wet

5. Wear Loose Clothing

• Helps prevent sweat rashes and fungal infections
• Change clothes often if they get wet or dirty

​See the personal hygiene page for advice on how to wash safely when water is limited.

Diarrhoea and Waterborne Illnesses

Diarrhoea can spread quickly after a disaster, especially when water and toilets are limited. Follow these steps to stay safe: 

1. Drink & Use Safe Water

• Use bottled, boiled, or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing
• To boil water: bring to a full boil for at least 1 minute
• See the Drinking Water Guide for more details on making water safer.

2. Wash Hands Often

Use soap and safe water (or hand sanitiser if no water): 

• Before eating or cooking
• After using the toilet or changing a child
• Before treating wounds or caring for the sick
• See the Handwashing and Personal Hygiene Guide for more advice on washing with limited resources.

3. Eat Only Safe Food

Do not taste food to check if it’s safe. Do not eat food that: 

• Has no refrigeration for more than 4 hours (including meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers)
• Touched floodwater
• Is in damaged, bulging, or leaking containers
• Looks, smells, or feels unusual
• See Food Safety Guide for more information.

4. Clean Up Safely

• Wash dishes and surfaces with soap and safe water
• Let them air dry before reuse
• Wash clothes, diapers, and bodies far away from drinking water sources

5. Avoid Dirty Water

• Stay out of floodwater — it can carry disease
• Don’t let children play in or near it
• Disinfect any toys or items that touched floodwater

• Watery stools 3+ times a day
• Dry mouth, lips or tongue
• Feeling weak or dizzy
• Sunken eyes or no tears when crying (in children)
• Dark, very little or no urine

Dehydration can be dangerous — especially for babies, young children, and older adults.

• For first aid steps, warning signs, and how to help someone with dehydration, see the Dehydration First Aid Guide.
• To learn how to make oral rehydration solution (ORS), how much to give, and when to use it, go to the ORS Guide.

Preventing Respiratory Infections

​Respiratory infections like cough, flu, and colds can spread fast in crowded areas. Use these simple steps to help protect yourself and others:

1. Avoid Close Contact When Possible

• Try to sleep slightly apart from others (1–2 metres if possible)
• Avoid face-to-face talking, hugging or handshakes if someone is coughing or sneezing

2. Cover Coughs & Sneezes

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a piece of cloth or tissue
• Throw tissues away in a plastic bag if available
• Wash or rub your hands right after

3. Wash Hands Often

• Use soap and water whenever possible
• If no soap, use ash, sand or alcohol-based hand rub
• Wash before eating, after toilet, after coughing/sneezing, or helping someone sick

4. Don’t Share Personal Items

• Try to use your own towel, cup, spoon, and toothbrush
• If sharing is needed, wash items well with safe water between uses

5. Keep Your Area Clean

• Wipe up spit or mucus with a cloth or paper
• Clean shared surfaces like tables, mats, or sleeping areas when you can
• Let items dry in the sunlight, which helps kill germs

6. If Someone Is Sick

• Let them rest in a separate area, or give them some space if possible
• Caregivers should wash hands often and avoid face-to-face contact
• Encourage the sick person to cover their coughs and drink plenty of fluids

7. Ask About Vaccines

• If health workers visit the shelter, ask about flu or COVID-19 vaccines if they are offered