Small Changes For Health

Did you know that something as simple as washing your hands is the number one way to protect yourself against common illnesses, like the common cold or flu?  Regular and frequent hand washing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the number one way to prevent catching the flu or the common cold.  During the winter months, many bacterial infections, like strep throat, and viruses, like the flu, thrive as people spend more “quality” time with each other indoors.  Bacteria and viruses are spread when one infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches their face or body with their hands and then proceeds to touch other surfaces, like doorknobs and handrails.  When you touch those same doorknobs and handrails the same germs are now passed to you and are on your hands.  Then when you touch your face with your hands you have now introduced those germs to the inside of your body.  By simply washing your hands frequently and often with warm water and soap, you can help prevent bacteria and viruses from entering your body.

Your small change:  For this week, make sure you wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after each time you cough, sneeze or blow your nose.

More Information

Proper hand washing is essential to preventing common illnesses.  To wash your hands properly follow the steps listed below:

1. Turn on the warm water and wet your hands.
2. Using bar or liquid soap, place some soap on your hands.
3. Scrub your hands with soap for 20 seconds, making sure to get around fingernails, in between your fingers, and the base of your thumb.
4. Rinse your hands with warm water.
5. Wipe your hands dry with a paper towel.
6. Turn off the faucet with that same paper towel and if in a public restroom, open the door with that same paper towel.

Knowing when to wash your hands is also essential.  See below for a list of when to wash your hands.

1. After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
2. After using the restroom.
3. After changing a diaper.
4. Before making and before eating food.
5. After playing with or touching animals.
6. After playing or working outside.
7. Before and after changing your contact lenses.

Note:  If warm water and soap are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used.

For more information on hand washing visit www.cdc.gov