WANT to prevent the spread of infection? Hand-washing is an easy way to do so.

It is important that all people learn the right time to wash their hands, how to properly use hand sanitizer, and how to get children into the habit as well. It is also important to note that frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness.

No need to worry, hand-washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn’t require water.

Wondering when to wash your hands?

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Remember, you can never wash your hands too much.

Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food or eating;

• Treating cuts and bruises, giving medicine, or caring for a sick or injured person; and

• Inserting or removing contact lenses.

Wash your hands after:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry;

• Using the washroom or changing a diaper;

• Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste;

• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands;

• Treating wounds or caring for a sick or injured person;

• Handling garbage, household or garden chemicals, or anything that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes; and

• Shaking hands with others.

Essentially, hand-washing is like a do-it-yourself vaccine that involves only five simple and effective steps: Wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry. You can take these steps to reduce the spread of diarrhoeal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Hand-washing is a win for everyone, except the germs.

Source: www.mayoclinic.org