Eighty percent of common infections are spread by hands. Washing your hands at least five times a day has been shown to significantly decrease the frequency of colds, influenza (the “flu”) and other infections. Not only will it help keep you healthy, it will help prevent the spread of infectious diseases to others.

Even if your hands appear to be clean, they carry germs and viruses. Hands pick up germs, viruses and other micro-organisms in a number of ways. When people who are sick sneeze or cough, the germs that are making them sick are expelled into the air in tiny droplets. If these droplets get onto your hands, and then you touch your mouth, eyes or nose without washing away the germs, you can pick up the infection. You can also get sick if you don't wash your hands before and after preparing food, after handling raw meat and after using the toilet.

Although hand washing might seem like a simple task, you should follow these steps to thoroughly rid your hands of germs.

What kind of soap should I use?

• Use plain soap that does not contain antibacterial agents. Plain soap will remove the dirt and grease that attract bad bacteria.
• Plain soap will not kill the good bacteria that live on the hands.
• Using antibacterial products unnecessarily increases the concentration of antibiotics in the water supply and in the environment and may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Proper steps.

• Remove any hand or arm jewelry you may be wearing.
• Wet your hands with warm water.
• Apply plain soap to your hands and rub together for 20 seconds (the length of time it takes to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Happy Birthday)
• Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
• Rinse your hands well for 10 seconds under warm running water, using a rubbing motion.
• Wipe and dry your hands gently with a paper towel or a clean towel. Drying them vigorously can damage the skin.
• Turn off the tap using the paper towel so that you do not re-contaminate your hands. When using a public bathroom, use the same paper towel to open the door when you leave.
• If skin dryness is a problem, use a moisturizing lotion.

Learn More About Bloodborne Pathogens Here