Hygienic measures are essential for preventing transmission and spread of bacteria in daily life and especially, in hospitals. Washing hands remains the most important procedure for preventing bacteria transmission. A common cold is mostly acquired by shaking hands with an infected person who has just blown his nose.

However, hygiene measures have to be well balanced. For examples regular washing and changing into clean clothes should prevent possible pathogens from settling, multiplying and causing infectious diseases. On the other hand, excessive washing procedures may cause an imbalance of the normal microbial flora and dry, brittle skin, thus increasing the susceptibility to infection.

Food contamination with bacteria can be avoided by adequate storage, cooling, preparation and cooking. Unknown or untrustworthy food sources have to be treated with care. Especially in countries with low hygienic standards, travellers should follow the advice "Cook it, peel it or leave it" to prevent typical gastro-intestinal infections like diarrhea.