HAND-WASHING AND DISEASE PREVENTION

Unconsciously, our hands come in contact with so many filthy and infected items at different times. These same hands are either used to rub a hitching eye, put food into the mouth or close a yawning mouth. These actions can be devastating if these hands are not clean or properly washed.

At home, work school, play or while traveling one is exposed to the germs. Hand-Washing goes a long way in minimizing the risk of infections. If properly and frequently done, it can cut death rate by half.

Washing your hands is the best way to stop germs from spreading.

•          Germs are tiny organisms, or living things that can cause disease.

•          Germs are so small and sneaky that they creep into our bodies without being noticed.

•          In fact, germs are so tiny that you need to use a microscope to see them.

•          When they get in our bodies, we don't know what has hit us until we have symptoms that say we've been attacked!

    

SOME DISEASES TRANSMITTED BY HAND

•          Conjunctivitis.

•          Ebola Infection

•          infectious diarrhea

•          Skin infection

•          Enteric fever i.e. Typhoid.

So when are the best times to wash your hands?

•          after using the rest room

•          after cleaning around the house

•          after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives

•          after touching animals, including family pets

•          after blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing

•          before and after eating or touching food (e.g. after helping with cooking or baking)

•          after being outside (playing, gardening, back from the office)

•          after leaving hospital premises,

•          before feeding babies

•          after changing baby’s diapers

Handy Hints:

•          Use warm water (not cold or hot) when you wash your hands. It helps to remove germs better.

•          Use whatever soap you like. Some soap come in cool shapes and colors or smell nice, but whatever kind that gets you scrubbing is the kind you should use.

•          Anti-bacterial soaps are OK to use, but regular soap works fine. 

CORRECT WAY TO WASH YOUR HANDS

•          Wet your hands.

•          Apply liquid or clean bar soap or disinfectant.

•          Place the bar soap on the rack and allow it to drain.

•          Rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces – front & back to the wrist, finger webs, and nail beds.

•          Continue for 10 – 15 seconds. This ensures that as many germs as possible are washed away.

•          Rinse well, preferably under running water.

•          Dry your hand (using towel or hand dryer).

Note: 

•          It costs very little to wash your hand.

•          It cost a lot more to treat germs.

•          Don't under-estimate the power of hand washing!

The few seconds you spend at the sink could save your trips to the doctor's office.