Active or passive immunization helps prevent some types of infections. Active immunization can prevent influenza, Haemophilus influenzae type b, meningococcal, and pneumococcal infections. Pneumococcal vaccination is effective for chronically ill, asplenic, and elderly patients and those with sickle cell and HIV disease. Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to patients who repeatedly receive blood products as well as to medical and nursing personnel and others at risk. Passive immunization can prevent or ameliorate herpes zoster, hepatitis A and B, measles, and cytomegalovirus infection in selected immunosuppressed patients.
Severe hypogammaglobulinemia requires maintenance with immune globulin.
Barriers help control and prevent infection. Strict asepsis should be maintained in diagnostic and therapeutic manipulative procedures. Attendants should wear sterile gloves during endotracheal or tracheostomy suctioning, and suction catheters should be sterile, disposable, and used only once. Masks, tubing, nebulizer jars, and other respiratory therapy equipment connected directly to a patient's airway should be sterilized by steam or gas before use and should be changed daily. Care should be taken to ensure that the gas jets have been completely cleaned.