With recent 2019 -Novel Coronavirus (nCOV) outbreak, there is a growing concern about the spreading of the disease worldwide. According to the recent reports, there is a chance of an estimated 65 million people worldwide could be affected by the disease. To prevent the disease one strong suggestion that is issued by World Health Organization and CDC is washing hands thoroughly on different occasions. What is a thorough hand wash?

The World Health Organization  recommended a six – step technique for hand washing and applying sanitizer to avoid any type of disease transfer.  A research conducted by scientists demonstrates that the six-step hand-hygiene technique is superior to earlier recommended three-step method of hand washing. This will help us prevent, eliminate and control viral transmission between humans, humans and animals.

Many of us aware of the fact, that we must wash our hands before and after our daily chores to keep ourselves healthy.  You would have noticed however that there are people who after using toilet, bathroom, blowing nose do not wash their hands but will touch food or items in front of our eyes – yuk, it is disgusting!!. One should be aware of the science behind hand washing to understand why we need to wash our hands on several occasions – to keep not only ourselves healthy but also not to spread the sickness to others.

Do you know that feces (or poop) of humans and animals are sources of several deadly germs like  Salmonella, E. coli O157, and norovirus that cause diarrhea, and it can spread some respiratory infections like adenovirus and hand-foot-mouth disease. These kinds of germs can get onto hands after people use the toilet or  in less obvious ways, like after handling raw meats  that have invisible amounts of animal poop on them.

When these germs get onto hands and are not washed off, they can be passed from person to person and make people sick. Do you know?  A single gram of human feces—which is about the weight of a paper clip—can contain one trillion germs . If people touch the objects or food that has germs on it because of someone’s negligence or someone’s sickness then we become part of that vicious cycle of spreading germs knowingly or unknowingly. Knowingly because after observing someone not washing their hands and touching food and objects- then it becomes our responsibility to tell them to wash their hands.

The new nCoV, MERS and SARS also spreads through improper hand wash.  When the infected persons coughs and sneezes the droplets can sit on any material. These viruses can survive up to 12 hours on the materials.  If we don’t wash our hands properly, then viruses can attack our mucous membranes and cause the disease. 

Read CDC’s instructions to understand when and how to wash hands.

Importance of hand washing:

Hand washing with soap removes germs from hands. This helps prevent infections because:

• People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it. Germs can get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and make us sick.
• Germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or consume them. Germs can multiply in some types of foods or drinks, under certain conditions, and make people sick.
• Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, table tops, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands.
• Removing germs through hand washing therefore helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections and may even help prevent skin and eye infections.

Teaching people about hand washing helps them and their communities stay healthy. Hand washing education in the community:

• Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 31%
• Reduces diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58%
• Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21%

When to wash our hands?

1. Before, during, and after preparing food
2. Before eating food
3. Before and after caring for someone who is sick
4. Before and after treating a cut or wound
5. After using the toilet
6. After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
7. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
8. After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
9. After handling pet food or pet treats
10. After touching garbage

How should you wash your hands? Six steps as recommended by WHO: (SEE IMAGE)

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap (or hand sanitizer)

1. Rub hands together palm to palm

2. Right palm over back of left hand, interlacing gingers and vice versa.

3. Palm of palm with interlaced fingers

4. Back of finger to opposing palms with interlocked fingers

5. Clasp right thumb in left palm for rotational rubbing and vice versa

6. Using fingertips do rotational rubbing in palm of opposite hand.

Rinse you hand with water if you use soap.

What should you do if you don’t have soap and clean, running water?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals. Hand sanitizers are not as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. If you are using hand sanitizer then follow the same six-step technique to clean your hands.

Suggestions: At home, work place or in other public places like restaurants – whenever it is necessary wash your hands.  In restaurants if they don’t have soap – ask for soap to wash hands or carry a small soap in your handbag or keep it in your vehicle.  If you see your coworker not washing hands after using toilet – gently remind them and do not hesitate. Keep a hand sanitizer in your purse or in your desk which comes in handy when soap is not available. Teach your children the importance of washing hands and give them examples about what happens if we do not take care of health of hands. Insist your family, friends and coworkers to wash hands to keep everybody safe and healthy.

Reference:

• http://www.cdc.gov/
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/