About Hand Washing
The Mayo Clinic and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree that hand washing is the easiest way to prevent the spread of disease and pathogens. However, despite the proven health benefits, many people don't wash their hands as often as they should. In any given day, we accumulate dirt and germs on our hands from other people as well as contaminated surfaces. We also ingest foods and touch our faces, all avenues for introducing illness into our bodies. Washing our hands keeps us from making ourselves and others sick.
Preventing Infectious Disease
Several diseases, such as the common cold and infectious diarrhea, are spread through hand-to-hand contact. Influenza is also spread through hand contact and can lead to serious complications. Some people with the flu develop secondary infections such as otitis media, bronchitis and pneumonia. Elderly people and the chronically ill are especially prone to flu-related pneumonia. According to the Mayo Clinic, this flu/pneumonia combination is the eighth-leading cause of death among Americans.
Preventing Food-Borne Illnesses
E. coli lives in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. It can get into food when food handlers fail to wash their hands after using the bathroom. Salmonella is commonly found on raw meats and fish, and can be passed through cross-contamination--when a food worker handles an infected piece of food, then handles another piece of food without washing his hands. According to the CDC, as many as 76 million Americans get food-borne illnesses each year. About 5,000 die from their illnesses.
When to Wash Your Hands
To effectively prevent illness, always wash your hands after coming in contact with human or animal waste, and garbage. Wash before and during food preparation--especially when handling raw meats and fish--and before eating. Even if you believe you aren't sick, you should wash your hands after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing. You should also wash your hands after handling animals, even the family pet.
How to Wash Your Hands
Simple soap and warm water are perfectly OK for normal, daily hand washing. Although antibacterial soaps are very popular, they're no more effective in killing germs than regular soap. Antibacterial soap may also lead to the development of more resistant bacterial super-strains.
In order to properly wash your hands, wet your hands with warm, running water and use a clean bar of soap. Rub your hands vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, making sure to scrub the palms and the backs of the hands. Be sure to include the wrists and rub between your fingers. Take special care to clean beneath and around your fingernails. Rinse thoroughly and dry your hands with a clean, disposable towel. Use a fresh, dry towel to turn off the faucet and another towel to open the bathroom door.
