Disease
Fact Sheet Series:
Why is hand washing important?
Hand washing, when done correctly, is the
single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce
the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.
What types of disease can good hand washing prevent?
- Diseases spread through fecal-oral transmission. Infections which
may be transmitted through this route include salmonellosis,
shigellosis, hepatitis A, giardiasis, enterovirus, amebiasis, and
campylobacteriosis. Because these diseases are spread through
the ingestion of even the tiniest particles of fecal material, hand
washing after using the toilet cannot be over-emphasized.
- Diseases spread through indirect contact with respiratory
secretions. Microorganisms which may be transmitted through this route
include influenza, Streptococcus, respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV) and the common cold. Because these diseases may be spread
indirectly by hands contaminated by respiratory discharges of infected
people, illness may be avoided by washing hands after coughing or
sneezing and after shaking hands with an individual who has been
coughing and sneezing.
- Diseases may also be spread when hands are contaminated with urine,
saliva or other moist body substances. Microorganisms which may be
transmitted by one or more of these body substances include
cytomegalovirus, typhoid, staphylococcal organisms, and Epstein-barr
virus. These germs may be transmitted from person to person or
indirectly by contamination of food or inanimate objects such as toys.
What is good hand washing technique?
There is more to hand washing than you think! By
rubbing your hands vigorously with soapy water, you pull the dirt and the
oily soils free from your skin. The soap lather suspends both the dirt and
germs trapped inside and are then quickly washed away.
Follow these four simple steps to keeping hands clean:
- Wet your hands with warm running water.
- Add soap, then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do
this away from the running water for at least 15 seconds, being
careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your
hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
- Rinse your hands well under warm running water. Let the water run
back into the sink, not down to your elbows.
- Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel. Then turn off the water
with a clean paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle.
What type of soap should be used?
Any type of soap may be used. However, bar soap should be kept in a
self draining holder that is cleaned thoroughly before new bars are put
out and liquid soap containers (which must be used in day care centers)
should be used until empty and cleaned before refilling.
To prevent chapping use a mild soap with warm water;
pat rather than rub hands dry; and apply lotion liberally and frequently.
What are some mistakes I should avoid regarding hand
washing?
- DON’T use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children’s
hands.
- DON’T use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.
- DON’T use a common hand towel. Always use disposable towels in day
care or food preparation settings.
- DON’T use sponges or non-disposable cleaning cloths unless you
launder them on a regular basis, adding chlorine bleach to the wash
water. Remember that germs thrive on moist surfaces!
What are some ways to help children with good hand
washing technique?
It is important to encourage and help children to wash
hands before eating, after playing outdoors or playing with pets, after
using the bathroom, and after blowing their noses. Even though hands may
appear to be clean, they may carry germs or microorganisms that are
capable of causing disease.
Don’t assume that children know how to wash their
hands properly. Supervision, especially in a day care setting, is an
essential element in forming good hand washing habits in children.
Finally, children learn by example! Let them observe good hand washing
technique from the adults who care for them.
May I use the over-the-counter alcohol gels for
washing my hands instead of using soap and water?
These products, which can be found wherever soap is sold, are very
effective at killing germs on the hands as long as your hands are not
visibly dirty. They should be used when soap and water are not readily
available.
To use correctly, apply about a teaspoonful of the alcohol gel on the
palm of one hand. Then rub all over both hands, making sure you rub the
front, back, and fingernail areas of both hands. Let the alcohol dry,
which should take about 30 seconds.
If your hands look dirty but you have no other way to wash your hands,
use the gel but wash with soap and water as soon as you can.
Hand washing signs:
For more information contact your Local
Public Health Department. Back to
Communicable Disease Fact Sheet Series Index Page
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Last Revised: March 20, 2008
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