Now that we are falling back into our normal routines of school and work, it is especially important to remember what it takes to stay healthy this school year. HANDWASHING! 

Germs in the form of bacteria and virus’ are everywhere! They live on surfaces; they travel through the air and are transferred by touch. They also can survive on those surfaces for quite some time...

• MRSA: 7 days-7months
• Influenza A & B:  24-48 hours (on a hard surface)
• C Difficile:  5 Months
• HIV:  Minutes to hours      
• Norovirus:  12-28 days
• HPV: (Hepatitis B):  7 Days

 When should we wash our hands?

• before and after food prep
• Before eating
• After using the restroom, assisting someone in the restroom or changing a diaper
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal food, animal waste, cages/environment
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick or treating a cut or wound
• After touching garbage
• If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy

We have two options for hand hygiene, soap and water and alcohol based hand sanitizers. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for visibly soiled hands. Here are some tips for proper hand washing:

• Wet hands (temp of water doesn’t matter)
• Apply soap
• Scrub all surfaces of hands for at least 20 seconds with particular attention around nail beds, and under nails. (The Happy Birthday song or singing the ABC’s is a good timer for kids)
• Rinse and dry hands (paper towels are the most hygienic way to dry hands). Damp hands spread 1,000 times more germs than dry hands)
• Turn off faucet with paper towel if possible.

Hand Sanitizers:

• Choose a product that has at least 60% alcohol.
• Apply a dime size amount of sanitizer to the palm for adults.
• Rub hands together spreading gel to all surfaces of the hand until they are dry
• For small children, apply a small amount and rub until it dries. Cleansing wipes are a great choice too! 

Refereces:
Kramer et al(2006) BMC Infect Dis 6:130     
CDC Website
Patrick D.R. Findon Epidemiology & Infection

by Ann Marie Pastro, Member of Arcola Church's Health & Wellness Ministry

Tags: health, flu, viruses, bacteria, handwashing