Infection protection in general

A particularly simple and effective measure to protect against infection is regular hand washing.

Our hands come into contact with numerous germs every day - when blowing our noses, using the toilet, stroking animals or preparing food. These germs can easily be transferred to surfaces or to other people, which continues the spread of pathogens.

However, this transmission route can be effectively interrupted by regular and thorough hand washing. This can prevent gastrointestinal infections and various respiratory tract infections in particular.

Good hand hygiene also prevents viruses and bacteria from entering the body via the nose, mouth and eyes when touching your own face.

You can find the 5 steps for correct hand washing in the infographic.

Pay particular attention to washing the entire hand (back of the hand, thumbs, between the fingers, fingertips and under the nails) for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands not only if they are visibly soiled, but also on the following occasions, for example:

• Before the meal
• Before, during and after food preparation
• Before and after the treatment of wounds
• Before and after sick visits
• After using the toilet
• After returning to the house
• After contact with animals
• After the nappy change
• After contact with waste

Useful tips:

• If necessary, also use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol, especially when travelling or when soap and water are not available.
• Sensitise children to the importance of hand washing from an early age; it should become an integral part of their hygiene.

• Remember that hand washing not only protects against illness, but also actively helps to prevent outbreaks of disease in community settings such as schools, offices or care facilities.

A basic distinction is made between viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. These can enter the human body via one or more transmission routes and cause certain diseases depending on the pathogen.

• Smear infection (e.g. norovirus, hepatitis A)
• Droplet infection (e.g. tuberculosis, whooping cough)
• Infections via water (e.g. legionella)
• Infections via vectors (e.g. via ticks and mosquitoes)

A-Z information from the RKI on infections, pathogens and transmission routes 

According to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), numerous infectious diseases must be reported to the responsible health authority. Depending on the pathogen or disease, the suspicion, illness, death and/or detection of the pathogen must be reported. The aim of the reporting obligation is to identify infection risks, including more complex disease outbreaks, at an early stage and to minimise the further spread of the disease through suitable infection control measures. After notification, the public health department obtains further information (e.g. on symptoms, hospitalisation and vaccination status), identifies contact persons and, depending on the constellation, initiates separate infection control measures. Relevant data is also transmitted to the state and federal authorities.

In addition to processing reports from laboratories (Section 7 IfSG) and doctors' surgeries (Section 6 IfSG), the health inspectorate also records illnesses that are reported to the public health department by communal facilities in the Saarpfalz district in accordance with Section 34 IfSG. Depending on the pathogen and frequency of occurrence, the facility concerned is contacted and advised or, in the case of serious, major outbreaks of disease, an inspection of the facility is carried out if necessary.

Notifications in accordance with § 6 and § 7 IfSG are generally made via the digital notification system.

Notifiable diseases (doctor's notification)

Reportable pathogens (laboratory report)

Notifiable diseases (community facilities)

Obligation to report vaccination reactions that go beyond the usual level