Correct Hand Washing - Simple Yet Effective by Geoff Cummings
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Most ailments are transmitted through the air. WRONG! According to the U.S. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, at least 80% of ailments such as colds and other infections are transmitted by our hands, not through the air.
A review of more than 30 studies found that hand washing with soap cuts the incidence of diarrhea by nearly half.
Intestinal worm, skin infections, and eye infections can all be reduced by proper washing of the hands.
Hand washing with soap also reduces the incidence of skin diseases; eye infections like trachoma and intestinal worms, especially ascariasis and trichuriasis.
The first Global Handwashing Day was held on October 15 2008, the International Year of Sanitation.
Hand washing is generally considered to be the single most important way to prevent the spread of illness. Yet, many do not always wash when they should. This means after using the bathroom, sneezing, touching the nose, touching a pet or other animal, touching anything soiled with body fluids or wastes (such as blood, saliva, urine, stool, or vomit). Before and after eating, cooking, or otherwise handling food. Some studies have shown that there are more germs on the lid of a trash can than there are on a toilet seat. Some people use an infrared-powered trash can which has the advantage of hands-free disposal of such things as food packaging, left over food etc.
The potential for infection does not disappear after a quick, perfunctory job of hand washing.
Drying hands properly can be equally important. Researchers at the University of Westminster in England found that many people do not dry their hands thoroughly after washing, especially when using electric warm air hand dryers. Many complete drying by wiping their hands on their clothes. This can spread any dangerous microorganisms left on the hands. According to the researchers, it is best to dry hands completely, preferably using disposable paper towels or a clean, unused cloth towel.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following hand-washing advice:
• Always use warm running water and mild soap. If forced to use a basin instead of running water, clean and disinfect it each time it is used. Premoistened towelettes do not effectively clean hands.
• Rub hands together vigorously until a soapy lather appears, and continue rubbing for at least 15 seconds. Scrub the tops and palms of the hands as well as between fingers and under fingernails.
• Rinse hands under warm running water.
• Dry with a clean disposable, or single-use, towel, and avoid touching the faucet or towel holder with clean hands.
• Turn the faucet off using the towel as a barrier to keep from touching the handle.
• Children should wash standing at a height where their hands can hang freely under the running water. Assist the child to perform all the above steps, and then wash your own hands.
About the Author
Geoff owns the site at http://www.ourhometools.com where personal and home cleaning products are on sale.
