By Wendi Hope Bishop, Editor


There is one thing that everyone can do that is critical to reduce the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms: wash your hands. This crucial factor in disease prevention is only effective when people participate.

Hand hygiene is defined as any method that removes or destroys microorganisms on hands, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These germs are found everywhere. They can be on other people, pets, food, water, door knobs, hand railings, faucets and other surfaces.

Aside from the cold and flu bacteria and viruses being spread, there also are infectious diseases that can be passed from one person to another such as E. coli and hepatitis A. A person is exposed to these germs through contact with a contaminated surface or by someone who hasn’t washed his hands.

Good hand washing habits can prevent your exposure to such germs when you touch your nose or mouth, during person to person contact or exposure to food.

When is it a good time to wash your hands?

• After using the restroom
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After doing any cleaning
• Before any meal
• Before preparing and handling food
• After handling food, particularly raw meats and poultry
• After handling pets, including scooping a litter box
• After changing a diaper
• After exposure to a sore, cuts or blood
• Anytime they are dirty

Aside from soap and water, the time you take to wash your hands is important to the process. Be sure to rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.

You cannot replace frequent and proper hand washing with the use of alcohol-based antiseptics (hand sanitizers). Hand sanitizers are particularly ineffective with hands that you can see the dirt or have organic material on them. Which is not to say that hand sanitizers are completely ineffective. They have shown to be effective against certain bacteria and some viruses when used properly, which includes making sure that both hands are entirely covered with the sanitizer.

Washing your hands frequently and properly is the best way to prevent illness. Adopt a hand washing habit and pass the information along to friends and family. Hand washing works best when everyone participates!



References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “General Information on Hand Hygiene,” 2007.
Tennessee Health Department. 2007.