hygiene

The science of the preservation of health and prevention of disease through the promotion of cleanliness. It is chiefly concerned with such factors as the purity of air and water; bodily cleanliness; cleanliness in the home and workplace; and sound practice in the preparation and distribution of food.

Personal hygiene includes the regular washing of clothes, hair, and body; daily brushing of teeth; and washing of hands after using the toilet to prevent buildup of bacteria. Domestic hygiene includes keeping the home clean and tidy, preserving food safely in a refrigerator or freezer, thawing and cooking food thoroughly before eating, and disposing of waste from the home. Community hygiene is normally the responsibility of the local council or government, and includes sewage disposal, refuse collection, inspection of hygiene standards in shops selling food, provision of programmes of vaccination, and provision of clean drinking water.