hygienie

Hygiene refers to a set of practices and conditions that promote health by maintaining cleanliness, preventing contamination, and reducing the transmission of disease. The term derives from the Greek hygieinē, related to health, and is used in many languages with variations such as hygiene, hygiène, or higiene. The concept covers personal, environmental, food, occupational, and public health aspects.

Personal hygiene includes daily activities to maintain cleanliness and reduce infection risk, such as regular handwashing with soap and water, bathing or showering, dental care, nail hygiene, and appropriate menstrual hygiene. Good personal hygiene depends on access to clean water, soap, and facilities.

Environmental hygiene focuses on safe water and sanitation, waste management, pest and vector control, indoor air quality, and the maintenance of clean living and working environments. It aims to minimize exposure to pathogens and environmental hazards.

Food hygiene centers on safe handling, storage, preparation, and cooking of food to prevent foodborne illness. Practices include separating raw and cooked foods, cooking to safe temperatures, preventing cross-contamination, and maintaining clean kitchens. In many settings, HACCP and other quality systems are used to manage risks.

Occupational hygiene addresses workplace hazards through risk assessment, ventilation, ergonomic design, protective equipment, hygiene facilities, and training to reduce exposure to chemicals, dust, noise, and biological agents.

Historically, advances in sanitation, clean water, vaccination, and infection-control in hospitals greatly reduced disease burden. Today, hygiene remains a core element of public health, with international and national guidelines from organizations such as WHO and CDC guiding standards for hand hygiene, water quality, sanitation, food safety, and occupational safety.