Don’t go viral! Wash your mitts, mate!
Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease!
Most infectious bacteria and viruses are colonized or carried on our mucus membranes – nasal passages, mouth, eyes, and yes – our so called “private parts.”
People touch their faces as often as 3 times per minute per day.
That’s 180 times per hour.
It’s no wonder germs are spread by touch from your hands.
And here’s the kicker – germs are picked up from surfaces and spread from our hands to other surfaces and other people. That’s how germs go viral!
So … wash your mitts, mate! After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; using the restroom and before handling food; before you eat, after changing diapers or touching garbage; handling pets, dumping kitty’s litter, caring for someone sick, and just for the heck of it throughout the day!
Here’s the “how” of hand washing:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- 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.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them (which is best).
This is Dr. Jim for Be Healthy! Be Happy! Power your path to happiness!
P.S. To maintain a high performance immune system take our Superior Immune System Supplement daily!
References:
Center for Disease Control, January 27, 2016. Handwashing: Clean hands saves lives. Online [available at]: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/ [Accessed May 23, 2017].