Each month, our nation’s health care community has designated numerous health topics to be emphasized and provides information to help teach us about these issues. We all get caught up in our busy schedules and sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. Hopefully, by reading about some of these health problems, we will be reminded of the importance of being pro-active with our own health care and learn practical steps and preventive measures we can all make to take better care of ourselves and live a healthier and happier life.
An Ounce of Prevention!
December 4-10, 2011, is National Hand Washing Awareness Week. According to the CDC, hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease. With that in mind, it is an appropriate time of year to remind everyone about the importance of good hand hygiene and “germ etiquette".
It is that time of year when colds, flu and gastrointestinal viruses are more common. This is especially true in the school setting which brings large numbers of kids as well as adults together. Kids tend to spread infections more readily. As adults, we need to set a good example and teach our children and students to wash their hands often and to be aware of what they are touching. Everyone should wash their hands before eating. Never cough or sneeze in your hand. Use your inner elbow instead. Never put your unwashed fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth.
It is also important to be mindful of what you are touching. During the day, we all touch things that other people touch. (Door knobs, pencils/pens, telephones, escalators, handrails, shaking hands, etc.) Many people don’t wash their own hands like they should; leaving their germs on surfaces of the objects they touch. Although diseases are spread through contact with body fluids, viruses and other germs can live for a time on surfaces of the things we touch. We would reduce our chances of infection if all of us would wash our hands more frequently and be conscious of what we touch.
The best hand washing technique is to scrub your hands for 15 to 30 seconds with soap and water before rinsing. Studies show it is the length of time spent washing and not the type of soap that makes the difference.
For more information, visit:
www.henrythehand.com
www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/
The 4 Principles of Hand Awareness
- Wash your hands when they are dirty and BEFORE eating
- DO NOT cough into your hands
- DO NOT sneeze into your hands
- Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth
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