The National Hand Washing Awareness Week starts December 5-11, with an emphasis on the importance of good hand hygiene. Hand washing is an essential measure to prevent illness and reduce the spread of germs and viruses such as respiratory, diarrhea, food and travel diseases.
So how does hand washing prevent the spread? Some viruses have a protective layer of fat around them, such as Covid-19. Using soap and lathering for 20 seconds will physically remove germs and chemicals. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "soapy water forms pockets that trap germs, dirt, and chemicals and wash them off when you rinse." Soap and water are the best deterrents, but if not available, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
The most common respiratory infections (flu, cold, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, coronavirus, etc.) are caused by viral pathogens and can be reduced by 16% by washing your hands. Foodborne diseases (salmonella, listeria, norovirus, etc.) can also be transmitted by handling raw meat such as chicken and then preparing other foods without washing your hands properly. Germs can also be spread by touching your mask; Touching contaminated surfaces that are frequented by others, such as doorknobs, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts; touch your eyes, mouth and nose; and coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and then touching people's hands and / or objects.
What can we do to wash our hands during and after Awareness Week? Julie Tijerina, an outreach specialist: "By remembering important moments when washing hands, we can reduce disease or the spread of germs. Some of these key moments, according to the CDC, are:
Before, during and after the preparation of food.
Before and after eating.
Before and after caring for a sick person with vomiting and diarrhea.
Before and after treating a cut or wound.
After using the bathroom.
Change after changing diapers or cleaning a person after using the toilet.
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
After touching trash.
Tijerina offers the 5 steps of the CDC to wash your hands properly:
1. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
2. Rub your hands together and create lather by concentrating under the nails and between the fingers.
3. Rub in for 20 seconds
4. Rinse under clean running water.
5. Dry your hands with a clean towel
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers programs that are tailored to the needs of your community. For more information, visit your local health department or request more information on hand washing programs from your local county office at (counties.agrilife.org) or by calling 325-646-0386.
About healthy Texas
Healthy Texas combines the expertise of the Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center with the unique reach of Texas A&M AgriLife Outreach services across the state to provide families with the knowledge and resources to take control of their health. Healthy South Texas, the Healthy Texas Pilot Program, is a new effort to reduce serious illnesses and their consequences in a 27-county region in South Texas. www.healthytexas.tamu.edu
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a unique education agency with a network of professional educators, trained volunteers, and district offices across the state. It reaches out to every county in Texas to meet local priority needs and protect human health through education about diet, exercise, and disease prevention. There are more than 250 counties in Texas with a local expansion office.
Resources: Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Hygiene - https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/faqs.html Data Sheets - https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/fact-sheets.html Dirty hands can be scary! Disease Preventing Wash Your Hands Frequently - http://dirtyhandscanbescary.com/ Show Me The Science - Why Wash Your Hands? - https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html Handwashing - Why It Matters - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/handwashing-why- its -important Essential Science of Hand Hygiene - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202003/the-essential-science-hand-hygiene
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