With the cold and flu season here it is a good time to remind us all to remember good hand-washing technique in preventing the spread of disease including colds and flu.It is one of the cheapest and simplest methods in preventing the spread of disease and infection.
In reading the information by Dr. Lida Mattman regarding the presence of spirochetes in tears (for example) it is a good reminder to wash our hands and clean those door knobs and the mouse on the computer as well as practice good hand-washing technique. Also, wash before and after inserting contact lens.
If one experiences itching, burning eyes from Lyme it is so easy to rub ones eyes (not supposed to, but we sometimes forget) and this can be a source of spreading infection.
No, I'm not OCD (not yet! LOL), but just want to remind us all that some of the simplest and cheapest things can be overlooked in disease prevention (like drinking clean water). OOPs did I just put in another plug for water?
Yes, guess I did. (In case you did not get that check out the article that I posted ``Your Body's Many Cries for Water'').
I chose the following Fact Sheet as a tool, but I recommend washing for 15-20 seconds in the warmest water tolerated. Some say sing ``Happy Birthday'' twice or sing two verses of ``Row, Row Row Your Boat'' as a means of timing yourself.
Best of Health,
Maggie
HAND WASHING
Why is hand washing important?
Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases in both children and adults.
What types of diseases can good hand washing prevent?
Diseases spread through fecal-oral transmission. Infections which may be transmitted through this route include salmonella, shigella, hepatitis A, giardia, enterovirus, amebiasis, campylobacter, etc. Because these diseases are spread through the ingestion of even minute particles of fecal material, hand washing following defecation cannot be overemphasized.
Diseases spread through indirect transmission. Infections which may be transmitted through this route include influenza, strep, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common cold. Because these diseases may be spread indirectly by hands freshly soiled by respiratory discharges of infected people, illness may be avoided by washing hands after coughing or sneezing.
Diseases may also be spread when hands are contaminated with urine, saliva or other moist body substances.
Infections which may be transmitted by one or more of these body substances include cytomegalovirus, schistosomiasis, typhoid, staphylococcal organisms, Epstein-Barr virus, etc. These germs may be transmitted from person to person or indirectly by contamination of food or of inanimate objects such as toys.
What is good hand washing technique?
There is more to hand washing than you think! By rubbing your hands vigorously with soapy water, you pull the dirt plus the oily soils free from your skin. The soap lather suspends both the dirt and germs trapped inside and are then quickly washed away.
Follow these four simple steps to keeping hands clean:
* Wet your hands with warm running water.
* Add soap, then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for at least 10 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
(Also, don't forget the wrists when practicing good technique.)
* Rinse your hands well under warm running water. Let the water run back into the sink, not down to your elbows. Turn off the sink with a paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle.
* Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel.
What type of soap should be used?
Any type of soap may be used. However, bar soap should be kept in a self draining holder that is cleaned thoroughly before new bars are put out and liquid soap containers (which must be used in day care centers) should be used until empty and cleaned before refilling.
To prevent chapping use a mild soap with warm water; pat rather than rub hands dry; and apply lotion liberally and frequently.
What are some things I should avoid regarding hand washing?
* DON'T use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children's hands.
* DON'T use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.
* DON'T use a common hand towel. Always use disposable towels.
* DON'T use sponges or non-disposable cleaning cloths unless you launder them on a regular basis, adding chlorine bleach to the wash water. Remember that germs thrive on moist surfaces!
What are some ways to help children with good hand washing technique?
It is important to encourage and help children to wash hands before eating, after playing outdoors or playing with pets, after using the bathroom, and after blowing their noses. Even though hands may appear to be clean, they may carry germs or microorganisms that are capable of causing disease.
Don't assume that children know how to wash their hands properly. Supervision, especially in a day care setting, is an essential element in forming good hand washing habits in children.
Finally, children learn by example! Let them observe good hand washing technique from the adults who care for them.
Where can I get more information?
* Your local health department, listed in your telephone directory
* The Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology (801) 538-6191
UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
BUREAU OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
August 2001
http://www.health.state.ut.us/els/epidemiology/epifacts/handwash.html
[This message has been edited by Magdalena (edited 21 October 2004).]
[This message has been edited by Magdalena (edited 21 October 2004).]