A susceptible person also can be isolated in a private hospital room with a closed door. To further reduce the risk of infection, visitors may be asked to don clean gowns and masks and to wash their hands and put on gloves before entering the patient's room. Despite the chance that antibiotics may increase the risk of infection by suppressing some bacteria and allowing others to grow faster, these drugs can greatly reduce the risk of infection when used properly. This is called the prophylactic use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are given prophylactically before many types of surgery, particularly abdominal operations and organ transplants.
Vaccination also can prevent infections.
Vaccines are given to prevent or reduce the severity of such diseases as influenza, pneumococcal infections, chickenpox, shingles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, and rubella. In passive immunization, antibodies are injected, providing immediate but temporary protection. Passive immunization is particularly useful when the immune system is unable to produce enough antibodies to protect an infected person or when immediate protection is needed, for example, after exposure to the hepatitis virus. Because superinfections and opportunistic infections often are resistant to most antibiotics, they can be very difficult to treat. Long-term treatment may be needed.