Back To Basics- Hand Washing

Back To Basics: Hand Washing
An Easy Way To Prevent Infection

With the cold and flu season approaching, the Nassau County Department of Health is urging residents to go back to the basics and remember to Wash Your Hands.

Infectious diseases that are commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia. The combination of the flu and pneumonia is the eighth-leading cause of death among Americans.

Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E.coli infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 76 million Americans get a food-borne illness each year. Of these, about 5,000 die as a result of their illness. The Nassau County Department of Health recommends the following guidelines from the Mayo Clinic:

Proper hand washing with soap and water

Wet hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap. Lather well.

Rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds.

Scrub all surfaces, including the back of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails

Rinse well

Dry hands with a clean or disposable towel

Use a towel to turn off the faucet

Always wash hands after:

Using the toilet

After changing a diaper – wash the diaper-wearer’s hands, too

After touching animals or animal waste

Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish.

Before and after eating

After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands

Before and after treating wounds or cuts

Before and after touching a sick or injured person

After handling garbage

Before inserting or removing contact lenses

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers:

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an acceptable alternative to hand washing when soap and water are not available. The CDC recommends choosing products that contain at least 60 percent alcohol. To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, apply about ½ teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hand and rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they are dry.

If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water, if available, rather than a sanitizer.

For additional information for easy ways to prevent infection, contact the Mayo Clinic at:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washingHQ00407/.

Back To Basics: Hand Washing An Easy Way To Prevent Infection

Back To Basics: Hand Washing
An Easy Way To Prevent Infection