Washing your hands helps prevent illnesses (Image: KieferPix | Shutterstock)
Washing your hands is a simple act, but it can save lives. Not surprisingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) established ‘World Hand Hygiene Day’, celebrated on May 5th. The date reinforces the importance of the practice to combat the spread of diseases which, according to the institution, are reduced by up to 40% with the habit.
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“There are some diseases, viral and bacterial, that can be transmitted through contact with unwashed hands, such as COVID-19, flu, conjunctivitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, mononucleosis, herpes zoster, hepatitis A, gastroenterocolitis, among others”, explains Felipe Moreno, infectious disease specialist at Hospital Evangélico de Sorocaba (HES).
Lack of hand hygiene allows germs to accumulate, creating a contamination cycle which can spread quickly, especially in the hospital environment. This happens in some situations, such as touching your eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands, preparing or eating food without washing your hands and touching contaminated surfaces. Touching other people’s hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing can also transmit these germs.
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Washing your hands properly
There is no secret to ensuring hand hygiene. The process involves a few simple but important steps. First, wet your hands with clean running water. Then, apply enough soap to cover the entire surface of your hands and rub them vigorously for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all areas are clean. Don’t forget to rub your wrists too. Then, rinse your hands well with running water to completely remove soap and germs. Finally, dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel.
Function of gloves and alcohol gel
The infectologist explains that the correct sanitation of hands before using gloves, and that one thing does not replace the other. Alcohol gel, in turn, should only be used in cases where it is not possible to wash with soap and water. He also clarifies that it is not necessary to apply alcohol gel to your hands after washing them. “Just one of the two is enough. Another myth is that antibacterial soaps are more efficient than common soaps”, demystifies Dr. Felipe Moreno.
Post-pandemic lessons
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hand hygiene was a frequently discussed topic, as the practice was one of the main ways to prevent infection. spread of the virus. According to the doctor, it is notable that, after the pandemic, many people no longer take the same care as before with hand hygiene. “Not only COVID-19, but also other diseases had their incidence rates reduced with greater hygiene adherence. But the same rates rise when adherence worsens”, concludes the expert.
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By Juliana Moreno
