Antibiotic resistance: 'Good' hand washing prevents common infections!

Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent germs from spreading.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Your child may refuse to listen no matter how many times you told him to wash his hands before eating, after using the bathroom or toilet, or when he comes inside from playing. But as parents, it's a message worth repeating for hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent germs from spreading as well as to keep children from getting sick.

While the 'basic rules' for hand hygiene are important throughout an individual's life, many people fail to follow the recommendations.

We know that we can spread germs - viruses and bacteria - casually just by touching another person. We can also catch germs by touching contaminated objects or surfaces such as our mouth, eyes, and nose.

However, 'good' hand washing practices can help reduce our risk or prevent the spread of common infections. 'Good' hand washing techniques include:

• Using an adequate amount of soap.
• Scrubbing the hands, between fingers, wrists, and forearms with soap for at least 20 seconds.
• Scrubbing under the nails.
• Removing rings or other jewelry.
• Rinsing thoroughly.
• Drying hands with a single use towel or air dryer.

If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.

In wake of increasing resistance to antibiotics, experts warned people to wash their hands using soap and for long enough. Because failure to carry out this 'basic hygiene' can cause people to get common infections, contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.