Proper hand washing can protect you from other disease-causing germs as well, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, salmonella, E. coli, hepatitis and the dangerous MSRA which is resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment.
What kills germs?
Heat, from 167 to 212°F, kills most germs. In addition, chemical germicides such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, iodine-based antiseptics, alcohols and soap detergents can be used. Alcohol is only effective if used in proper concentration and for a sufficient length of time. If you use rubbing alcohol or an alcohol-based gel sanitizer, make sure you rub it into your hands until the alcohol dries completely.
Clean hands throughout history
In Ancient Middle Eastern cultures, the washing of hands accompanied most religious activities. The Jews were known to wash their hands and feet before meals as a traditional practice.
It was less than 200 years ago, in 1843, when doctors took up the practice of washing their hands. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes advocated hand washing to prevent childbed fever, which he believed to be an infectious disease passed to pregnant women by the hands of doctors. His ideas were met with disdain by many physicians during that time.
Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis noted that the mortality rate in a delivery room staffed by medical students was up to three times higher than in a second delivery room staffed by midwives. During that time, medical students came from their lessons in autopsy and handling cadavers straight to maternity wards and delivery rooms. He ordered doctors and medical students alike to wash their hands with chlorinated solution before examining women in labor. The mortality rate in maternity wards dropped to less than 1 percent.
There’s the rub
When you rub your hands during hand washing, the soap molecules surround and lift germs and dirt; and water rinses them down the drain. Have you seen how doctors wash their hands before they engage in an operation? Make that your model. Make sure you build enough lather. Rub the entire surface of your skin, even between the fingers and under jewelry, like rings. Rub the lather as high up as your wrists for 20 seconds and rinse. Dry your hands thoroughly. Wet hands are twice as likely to pick up and transmit germs from your surroundings than dry hands.
Vicky, a pediatrician and mom, is conscientious of her two-year-old daughter, Dana’s health. Already, Vicky has taught her to wash her hands properly.
"To make sure she rubs long enough to meet the 20-second rule, I sing the ABC song to her. She sings along, and when we get to ‘Now I know my ABCs, next time won’t you sing with me,’ it’s time to rinse.”
When to wash?
Wash your hands before eating; after you use the bathroom; when you use public transportation (including elevators); after you use communal products like coffee machines, telephone booths, office computers, etc.; and after office meetings when you’ve shaken hands with your client. Wash your hands especially after you step out of the supermarket. Not only have you picked up one grocery item after another, you also handled cash.
Your worst enemy
The worst enemy to your health is not germs. It is laziness and neglect. People would rather “splash and dash” when in the restroom than take the time to wash their hands properly. Practice hand washing like a form of meditation. It’s a chance to take a minute or two to slow down and enjoy the flowing water and scented soap. In the long run, you’ll also enjoy a healthy, germ-free life.
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