Handwashing and health
Keeping hands clean by handwashing with bars or liquid cleansers and water is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid spreading germs to others and getting sick.
Handwashing
Hands are the principal carriers of disease-causing germs [1]. Virus particles deposited from sneezes, hands, or items touched by an infected person can be picked up on the hands of another person without them knowing – and the virus is transmitted when they put their hands to their face, nose, mouth or eyes.
Benefits of regular handwashing
While health authorities focus on managing viral outbreaks, the best thing you and your family can do is to wash your hands regularly with bars or liquid cleansers and water to protect against both direct (e.g. shaking hands with an infected person) and indirect contact (e.g. touching a doorknob handled by an infected person).
Preventing transmission of germs
Organisations like WHO recommend handwashing with soap and water to help prevent the transmission of germs because it is an action that interrupts person-to-person transmission and is proven to reduce the incidence of "acute respiratory infection'[2]. The good news is that all bars or liquid cleansers are effective in removing germs from skin so it is not necessary to switch from your normal, everyday cleanser.
Washing hands regularly with bars or liquid cleansers and water will help you get rid of germs picked up from other people, animals you come in contact with and surfaces you touch.
Tips for effective handwashing
It is more important than ever to maintain good hygiene.The correct way to wash your hands should last about a minute in total. First, wet your hands with running water and apply cleanser evenly over your hands. Rub your hands together, making sure to rub between fingers and that all surfaces of the hands are covered, for about 20 seconds then rinse with clean water. Lastly, dry your hands using a dry paper towel or air dryer.
When to wash your hands
Before touching your face, nose, mouth or eyes with your hands, especially when you’ve been in public places.
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Before and after tending to someone who is sick.
Before preparing food or after touching raw food, especially meat, and eating.
After using the toilet.
After changing diapers/nappies or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom/toilet.
After handling garbage/rubbish.
Before and after treating a cut or wound.
After handling an animal or animal waste.
[1] The Handwashing Handbook, The Global Public Private Partnership for Handwashing, www.globalhandwashing.org
[2] Handwashing with soap – a new way to prevent ARIs? Sandy Cairncross, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London
