A Simple Habit to Aid in Preventing Infection

Now that winter has arrived, colds and flu are more common. This is partially due to the cold weather prompting people to spend more time indoors increasing the possibility that viruses will spread to you. Frequent hand washing is a simple habit that can help to keep you healthy if it is done properly. However, despite all the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people do not practice this as they should. Each day you come in contact with germs through people contact, contaminated surfaces, food and animals. If you don’t properly wash your hands and frequently enough, you can infect yourself with germs by touching your eyes, nose and mouth. You can then spread the germs to others by touching them or by leaving the germs on surfaces that other individuals will also touch. These surfaces include tables, food, and door knobs.

When should you wash your hands?

• After using the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing into your hands
• After touching animals or animal waste
• After changing a diaper- also wash the diaper wearer’s hands
• Before and after preparing food, especially raw meat, poultry or fish
• Before eating
• Before and after handling contact lens
• Before and after touching a sick or injured person
• After handling garbage
• When using public restrooms

What is the proper hand washing technique?

• Use soap and water or use alcohol based liquid sanitizer
• If using soap and water, first wet hands with warm water and apply soap lather well
• Rub yours together for at least 15 to 20 seconds
• Rub all areas of your hands including backs of hands, wrists, between fingers and under nails
• Rinse off both hands well and wipe them dry with disposable towel or clean towel
• Use a towel to turn off water faucet and to open the door to prevent contaminating your hands
• If using "waterless" hand sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol. Apply about 1/2 teaspoon of liquid to palm of hand and rub both hands together. Be sure to cover all surfaces of your hand and rub until they are dry.

Information provided by: mayoclinic.com