Infections: keypoints

• Infectious disease affects all of the Scottish population at some point in their life, from childhood vaccinations to food poisoning.
• It is estimated that up to 4,000 Scots die every year from infections.
• Health Protection Scotland (HPS) is the national centre providing support and advice to all those who seek to protect the public from being exposed to hazards which damage their health, and to limit any impact on health when such exposures cannot be avoided.
• HPS considers infectious disease under various subject areas, including: blood-borne viruses, sexually transmitted infections, gastrointestinal infections and zoonoses, immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases, respiratory infections, healthcare associated infections, and environmental health and travel health.