Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. Teaching people about handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy.
Germs can get onto hands after people use the toilet or change a diaper, but also in less obvious ways, like after handling raw meats that have invisible amounts of animal poop on them.
Germs can also get onto hands if people touch any object that has germs on it because someone coughed or sneezed on it or was touched by some other contaminated objects. When these germs get onto hands and are not washed off, they can be passed from person to person and make people sick.
Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands. This helps prevent infections because:
- People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it. Germs can get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and make us sick.
- Germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or consume them. Germs can multiply in some types of foods or drinks, under certain conditions, and make people sick.
- Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, table tops, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands.
- Removing germs through handwashing therefore helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections and may even help prevent skin and eye infections.
- Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses — from the common cold to more serious ones such as hepatitis A and many types of diarrhea.
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Proper Hand Washing involves:
- Wash your hands under a running tap (where available).
- Use soapand lather up for about 20 seconds (antibacterial soap isn’t necessary — any soap will do).
- Make sure you get in between the fingersand under the nails where germs like to hang out. And don’t forget the wrists! Wash for as long as it takes you to sing the ‘Happy Birthday Song twice.
- Rinse and drywell with a clean towel. Don’t underestimate the power of hand washing! The few seconds you spend at the sink could save you a lot.