Which factor most significantly increases a patient's risk of infection?

Recent surgery is a critical factor that significantly increases a patient's risk of infection due to several reasons. During surgical procedures, the skin's natural barrier is compromised, allowing pathogens to enter the body. Additionally, surgical environments, even with strict infection control measures, still carry a risk of exposure to bacteria and viruses. Post-operative healing also involves inflammation and other physiological changes that can impair the immune response temporarily, making the body more susceptible to infections.

Moreover, the type of surgery performed and the individual patient’s health status, including comorbidities, can further elevate this risk. It is important to closely monitor such patients post-surgery for any signs of infection and to implement appropriate infection control measures to mitigate these risks.

In contrast, while other factors like increased physical activity, a high carbohydrate diet, and regular health check-ups are relevant to overall health, they are not as directly linked to elevated infection risk as recent surgery is.