Hand Hygiene to Protect Against Infection

Did you know that hands can harbour thousands of germs?

Our hands carry a whole host of bacteria and viruses, many of which can cause or spread disease. Keeping your hands clean is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to prevent yourself and those around you from getting sick. Soap and clean running water are all you need to stop the spread of infection and if these aren’t available, then use a hand sanitizer.

The easiest way for a virus to enter the body is through the nose and mouth. If our hands aren’t washed, any virus that is on our hands can then infect us when we touch our face. You may not realize it, but we touch our faces at least 23 times an hour according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology!

In fact, we are always using our hands to touch things when we are out and about, such as door handles, touch screens and shopping trolleys. Any bacteria or virus that can survive on surfaces like these can be transferred to your hands and then to your face.

Regular hand washing is one of the most effective ways of staying infection-free.

Follow these simple steps to make sure you are washing your hands properly:

• Wet hands and lather with soap.
• Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds
• Rememberto wash your wrists, the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under the nails
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water
• Turn off the tap with your elbow or a paper towel
• Dry with a clean towel or air dry
• Avoid using your clean hands to open the restroom door
• If soap and water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with above 60% alcohol content, giving it 10 seconds to complete its job.

Here are some of the most important times you should wash your hands

• After being in any public place
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• Before touching your face
• When around anyone who appears sick
• After using the restroom
• Before and after preparing and eating food
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After shaking hands with someone
• After changing diapers, or helping a child use the restroom