Washing your hands throughout the day, whether they appear dirty or not, may prevent you from becoming sick or infecting other people with germs from your hands. Hand washing can prevent the transmission of a variety of pathogens and may be more effective in preventing disease than any single vaccine, according to the global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap (PPPHW).
Identification
Germs live on every surface, indoors and outdoors, and are transferred to the hands when a person touches an object. Touching the eyes, mouth or nose after touching a germ-ridden item provides the germs with a convenient pathway into the body. Germs can also pass through the hands to the body if hands are not washed prior to eating or cooking. Hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, including the flu, colds, infectious diarrhea, hepatitis A, meningitis and bronchiolitis, according to Kids Health.
Transmission Methods
While germs can be acquired anywhere, some objects or surfaces are more likely to harbor germs that cause disease. Contact with fecal matter, either through handling dirty diapers, cleaning up a pet's waste products or not washing the hands after having a bowel movement, can spread germs. In some cases, these germs may cause infectious diarrhea, according to the PPPHW. Germs can also be spread by coughing or sneezing into the hand, handling used tissues or cleaning up after someone who has been sick. Handling garbage or touching animals without washing hands can also spread disease.
Washing Procedure
Using soap and clean, warm water to wash away germs helps lower the chance of developing contagious diseases. A generous amount of soap should be used, enough to make a lather. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands for 20 seconds to completely remove germs. Proper hand washing involves removing dirt and debris under the fingernails and washing between the fingers. Proper hand washing techniques conclude with rinsing the soap from the hands with clear water and thoroughly drying the hands with a paper towel or air dryer.
Considerations
If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used to remove germs from the hands, according to the CDC. Hand sanitizer should be used in generous amounts and rubbed on the hands for at least 20 seconds.
Warning
It may seem as if holding the hands under running water should be enough to rinse off germs, but that is not the case, according to the PPPHW. Soap is needed to remove natural oils that may harbor fecal bacteria and other germs. Using water alone won't remove these germs.
