Hand Awareness Tips Help Prevent Illness

“Everyone knows it’s important to wash their hands,” said Dr. Troy Dawson of Antelope Memorial Hospital. “However, ‘hand washing and hand awareness’ are both key in helping to prevent the spread of germs during the cold and flu season.”
The four principles of hand awareness are: DO NOT cough into your hands, DO NOT sneeze into your hands, wash your hands properly at the appropriate times (listed below) and above all – DO NOT put your fingers in the T-zone (eyes, nose and mouth).
One of the main ways that people become sick is after coming into contact with the microscopic droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. The mucous membrane found in the T-zone is the primary pathway for ALL cold and flu germs to enter the body. That’s why it’s important not to touch your face with your fingers.
Washing your hands properly with soap and warm water (for at least 20 seconds) will remove most of the harmful germs that can make you ill, added Dr. Dawson. It’s important to wash your hands before you eat, prepare food, treat a break in the skin or insert or remove contact lenses. You should wash your hands immediately after blowing your nose, using the restroom, handling uncooked foods (meat, poultry or fish), changing a diaper or handling garbage. Hand washing should also be done before and after caring for an injured/ill person or animal. Hand sanitizing gels may be used in place of hand washing and are generally more convenient. However, it’s been found they are ineffective against the enterovirus.
Individuals may be confined to closer spaces at work or school – setting the stage for cold and flu germs to spread more easily. It is especially important in these settings to follow hand awareness and washing tips to reduce the risk of illness.
For more information, contact your health care provider at AMH Family Practice Clinics at (toll-free) 877.887.5440.