Practice proper hand hygiene to protect your health
Daily wellness goals and habits can be among the most powerful weapons around when it comes to protecting your health. From exercising and avoiding tobacco to eating well and preventing excess weight, these lifestyle factors can have a huge impact on health and are well within most people’s reach. Perhaps topping the list of steps that can be taken to prevent illness is one of the easiest actions of all — simply washing your hands.
“Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others,” said Lorraine Haines, an advanced practice registered nurse with Renown Medical Group. “Many diseases, including cold and flu, are spread by not washing your hands with soap and water.
“You can also pick up germs if you touch an object that someone else has coughed or sneezed on or touched after doing so,” Haines added. “Then, once those germs are on your hand and aren’t washed off, they can be spread from person to person, potentially getting you and others sick.”
To stop the spread of germs, you’ll need to make your way to the sink many times a day. In fact, washing your hands each time it’s necessary may be the toughest part of maintaining this otherwise easy health habit. However, the payoff is well worth the effort if you wish to promote better health for yourself and those around you — especially as we approach cold and flu season.
“The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like hand hygiene can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu and cold,” said Elena Mnatsakanyan, director of infection control and epidemiology at Northern Nevada Medical Center. “Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for 24 hours, and although the flu virus is mainly spread by droplets, it can also be passed by hand.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are numerous times when people need to make a point of washing their hands. For starters, grab the soap and water after going to the bathroom, changing diapers or cleaning up after a child who’s just used the toilet. In addition, be sure to wash your hands before, during and after you prepare a meal, as well as before you eat.
The CDC also recommends hand washing after touching garbage, touching an animal or animal waste, and handling pet food or pet treats. Other times when it’s important to practice hand hygiene include after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; before and after caring for someone who is sick; and before and after treating a cut or wound.
As far as how to wash your hands, regular soap and water are the only tools you’ll need. Haines said products labeled “antibacterial” are not any better at eliminating germs — it’s the action of washing your hands with soap and water that does the trick.
“First, wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap and apply soap. Then, lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails,” Haines said. “Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds — you can hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song from beginning to end twice to time yourself. Then, rinse your hands under clean, running water and dry them off using a clean towel or air dryer.”
For those times when soap and water are not available, experts recommend using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.