Clean Hands, Healthy Body, and Avoid the Flu

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

Swine flu news is all over the news. Everywhere you turn, someone is discussing it. It seems to be ever-looming, making all of us wonder when or if it will affect us. Germs can enter through breaks in the skin and especially in membranes of the eyes, mouth, and nose. Dr. Mark Nicas, a professor at the University of California, Berkley estimated that in homes, schools, or dorms, hand to face contact accounts for about one-third of the risk of flu infection [1]. This statement comes after following a group of college students for eight week period. Those that had ready access to hand sanitizer and used it, had a third fewer complaints of coughs, chest congestion, or fever, and those students missed 43 percent fewer days of school.

So what can you do to protect yourself? It sounds so simple, and it is: make sure your hands are clean. Wash, wash, and wash again. This basic hygiene tip is the key to keeping yourself free from viruses and bacteria.

Follow these guidelines to proper hand washing to ensure your hands are free from germs.

* Wet your hands and apply soap.

* Rub your hands together vigorously, scrubbing all surfaces, front to back for 15 to 20 seconds.

* Rinse well with hot water and dry your hands, either with a paper towel, air dryer, or clean towel.

* If you don’t have access to soap and water, be sure to carry a travel size of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you.

Here are some other tips to avoid getting sick.

* Try to avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes without washing your hands first.

* Teach your kids not to share drinks or food items, such as double dipping chips or drinking from the same cup of juice.

* Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Even better, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.

* Drink plenty of water, as this can flush out some of the toxins in your body.

* Get enough sleep and exercise regularly.

* Eat well, and with clean hands!

* Avoid sharing personal toiletry items such as towels and pillows.

* Disinfect with a commercial disinfect things that are frequently used around your home or office, such as the remote control, phones, microwave, door, and fridge handles, toilet seats and handles, faucets, light switches, and toys.

So next time you hear a report on the news about swine flu or how the cold virus is on the rise, remember: clean hands equal clean health.

Reference

[1] With Soap and Water or Sanitizer, a Cleaning that Can Stave Off the Flu. New York Times. Accessed online September 16, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15well.html?_r=1&ref=health