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What is one of the most important ways to prevent disease?
If you said, handwashing, you are right. Frequent hand washing with warm soapy water is one of the simplest and most effective means of preventing illness.
Take the common cold, for example. One of the most frequent ways people catch colds is by rubbing their noses or eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold virus. It's important to remember that, other than a cold, some potentially serious diseases, such as hepatitis A, meningitis and infectious diarrhea, can easily be prevented if people make a habit of washing their hands. Within the past month, the Centers for Disease Control have cautioned people that washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water is one way to reduce the chances of developing the skin form of anthrax.
For example, a study of 305 Detroit school children found that youngsters who washed their hands four times a day had 24 percent fewer sick days because of respiratory illness and 51 percent fewer days lost because of stomach upset. Teachers asked these children to wash their hands on arrival, before lunch, after recess and before leaving for the day.
But don't most people wash their hands? Not as often as they think they do. A 1996 study conducted by Wirthlin, an international research firm, found that 94 percent of 1,004 adult respondents claimed they always washed hands after using the restroom. Their observational survey, however, viewed more than 6,000 adults in public restrooms and found that only 68 percent, in fact, did so. Women (74 percent) washed their hands more often than men (61 percent). Another study done in 1996, found that 23 percent of Coloradans reported not washing their hands with soap after handling raw meat or chicken.
For best results, hands should be washed with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds before preparing or eating food, after using the restroom, after changing diapers, after touching a pet, after touching raw meat, poultry or fish and whenever hands come in contact with body fluids.
It doesn't matter what type of soap you use either. It is not necessary to use antibacterial soap. In fact, the American Academy of Microbiology warns against widespread use of anti-microbial products because they are likely to lead to the development of more resistant bacteria. Using a standard hand soap will do the job.
For more information about this topic, contact Sheila Ryan, Colorado State University Extension agent in El Paso County, Colorado at (719) 636-8920 or e-mail at: sheila_ryan@co.el-paso.co.us
or contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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