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 handwashing 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.
Right now the swine flu pandemic has caused a number of deaths worldwide.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following advice to help prevent the spread of swine flu-
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
