Thursday, June 5, 2008

Wash Your Hands

Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.





Despite the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people don't practice this habit as often as they should — even after using the toilet. Throughout the day you accumulate germs on your hands from a variety of sources, such as direct contact with people, contaminated surfaces, foods, even animals and animal waste. If you don't wash your hands frequently enough, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And you can spread these germs to others by touching them or by touching surfaces that they also touch, such as doorknobs.

Infectious diseases that are commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. While most people will get over a cold, the flu can be much more serious. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia. The combination of the flu and pneumonia, in fact, 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. Others experience the annoying signs and symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

6 comments:

xilegay said...

don't know how to do it...will you wash my body from head to toe? ( LOL )

xilegay said...

or if you prefer I would gladly wash your body back !

Carlitos said...

if i will have this hand washing i will be cleand my hands all day.


Sorry for my English, it's really bad! lol :P

T.E.W. said...

Where can I buy that soap dispenser?

Ray's Cowboy said...

I am glad all of you like it.

Xileguy. We can do both. Showers can be great fun.

Carlitos. I do not have a problem with your writting, you can visit anytime, thank you.

T.E.W. don not know, but If I did I would get you one as well.
Hugs to all
Ray

Brettcajun said...

I think I don't get sick as often as others because I wash my hands a lot. If I shake someone's hand, I'll usually go wash my hands after our meeting is over.

I do think I am at more risk on the tennis court. I am handling sweaty tennis balls that can be touched by 2-4 different people depending whether I am playing singles and doubles. Often, your ball goes on another court and it can be picked up and thrown back to you by 2-4 different people. That's a lot of touching! On the courts, no telling how many times I inadvertly scratch my nose. LOL Oh well.