Hygiene is a set of practices performed to preserve health and prevent the spread of diseases. It involves maintaining cleanliness of the body and the living environment.
Personal Hygiene: This refers to maintaining the body's cleanliness. Key practices include regular handwashing with soap, bathing, and oral hygiene (brushing teeth).
Environmental Hygiene: This involves keeping surroundings clean to prevent disease transmission. It includes proper waste disposal, ensuring a safe water supply, and maintaining clean living spaces.
Food Hygiene: This involves handling, preparing, and storing food in a way that prevents contamination and foodborne illness.
Importance: Good hygiene is a cornerstone of public health, as it is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent infectious diseases.