[header] How to get well during your hospital stay [title] Wash your hands. [step] To reduce the risk of getting a bacterial or viral infection during your hospital stay, wash your hands on a regular basis with soap and water. Wash your hands any time they become soiled, such as after using the bathroom, coming into contact with people who are ill, or before eating. 
[substeps] Avoid touching your face frequently, particularly your mucus membranes, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Viral and bacterial infections are easily introduced into your body via these areas.