Prevent & Control Infection Educational Materials

  • About Aspergillus fungal infections

    Aspergillus is a fungus in the air that can cause serious infections. Learn how to protect your child from these infections when you leave St. Jude.

  • About Candida fungal infections

    Candida is a type of fungus that can cause infection. Learn simple ways to prevent these infections, such as hand washing.

  • About chickenpox

    Chickenpox is a very contagious viral infection. Learn more about the vaccine to prevent chickenpox.

  • About CMV

    CMV is a type of germ called a virus. If your child is a St. Jude patient, their immune system is probably weaker than normal. CMV can make them sick.

  • About Epstein-Barr virus

    The Epstein-Barr virus is the germ that causes “mono,” or mononucleosis (say “mah-no-new-klee-OH-sis”). If your child has a weak immune system, EBV can cause serious illness.

  • About HPV

    Learn about HPV and the vaccine (shot) to protect your child from this virus.

  • ACU isolation precautions

    Patients with certain infections must be isolated from other patients to fight the spread of infections. Learn what to expect if your child must be in isolation at St. Jude.

  • Airborne precautions

    St. Jude staff may follow airborne precautions if your child is in isolation. Learn how these practices help prevent infections.

  • C. diff infection

    C. diff is a shorthand for the bacteria called Clostridioides difficile. C. diff can lead to a potentially life-threatening infection called C. diff diarrhea.

  • Clean hands

    Cleaning your hands is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection, particularly in children with weak immune systems. Learn more.

  • Clean wagons

    Many children like riding in wagons to their appointments while at St. Jude. Help keep the wagons safe and clean by following these instructions.

  • Contact precautions non-restrictive

    Learn about the infection control guidelines for contact precautions non-restrictive in the outpatient areas.

  • Contact precautions restrictive

    If your child is in isolation, a sign reading "Contact Precautions" will provide instructions for entering the hospital room. Learn how this prevents the spread of infection.

  • Controlling the spread of colds and flu

    Many people at St. Jude take medicines or have health conditions that increase their risk of infection. Learn what you can do to prevent the spread of colds and flus.

  • Daily bathing with chlorhexidine wipes

    Using antibacterial cloths with chlorhexidine gluconate is one of the best ways to prevent infection during a hospital stay.

  • Daily bathing with Theraworx® cloths

    While in the hospital, your child must be bathed daily with Theraworx wipes to prevent infection. Learn more about using these wipes.

  • Daily cleaning of patient rooms

    Research shows that germs—bacteria and fungus—on surfaces can lead to infection. Keeping the area around your child clean removes the germs and helps prevent infection.

  • Droplet precautions non-restrictive

    Learn about the infection control guidelines for droplet precautions non-restrictive in the outpatient areas.

  • Droplet precautions restrictive

    If your child is in isolation, a sign reading "Droplet Precautions" will provide instructions for entering his or her room. Learn how this prevents the spread of infection.

  • Dry skin

    Dry skin decreases the strength of the skin and makes it easy to tear open. Learn more about the causes of dead skin and how to best treat dry skin.

  • Fever and neutropenia

    If your child has neutropenia, it is important to monitor him or her for signs of infection, including a fever. Learn how and when to take your child's temperature.

  • How to prevent infection

    St. Jude patients are more like to get infections than other children. Learn how to limit your child’s exposure to the causes of infection.

  • How to take a temperature

    Fever in children may mean an infection is present. Learn how to take your child’s temperature correctly so you can report fever to the doctor.

  • How to use an N-95 mask

    An N-95 mask can protect your child from germs. Learn how to correctly wear a mask.

  • Influenza (flu) vaccine

    The flu vaccine can prevent the flu. Learn more about flu prevention.

  • Inpatient isolation to help prevent infection

    Infection control guidelines can help prevent the spread of infection. Learn more.

  • Isolation precautions in St. Jude housing

    Your child may need to follow isolation precautions to prevent infection. Learn about isolation precautions in St. Jude housing.

  • Measles

    Measles is a disease that comes on quickly and spreads from person to person (viral). Learn more about measles, including symptoms and diagnosis.

  • Multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO)

    A multidrug-resistant organism is a germ that is resistant to many antibiotics. Find out about prevention and treatment. Get answers to your questions.

  • Sepsis

    Sepsis is a dangerous condition that can happen when your child has an infection.

  • Sibling screening before inpatient visits

    Screening young visitors for illness before they visit the inpatient floors helps to lower the risk of infection.

  • Special airborne precautions

    Get more information about airborne precautions, a countermeasure doctors use to prevent the spread of infection to other patients in the hospital.

  • Temperature conversion

    Call your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner if your child has a fever. Use this chart to convert temperature readings between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

  • The signs of infection

    Many patients with life-threatening diseases are at risk for infection. Watch for signs of an infection, so it can be treated quickly. Read more.

  • Visiting guidelines

    Please follow the hospital’s visiting guidelines to protect the health and safety of your child and all St. Jude patients. Read the guidelines.

  • VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci)

    Get more information about vancomycin–resistant enterococci (VRE). Sometimes, VRE germs can make children with life-threatening diseases sick.

  • Whooping cough

    Learn more about whooping cough, a serious illness caused by germs that get into the lungs and breathing tubes. Find out how to protect your child.

For updates on COVID-19, please read.

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