REMEMBER IGNAZ SEMMELWEIS?

Over 100 years ago, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis demonstrated that routine hand washing can prevent the spead of disease. Dr. Semmelweis insisted that his students wach their hands between touching cagavers and beginning their rounds in the maternity ward. As a result, deaths fell fivefold. Although he failed to convince his fellow physicians, he was ultimately vindicated. Only after Dr. Semmelweis' death was the germ theory of disease developed, and he is now recognized as a pioneer of antiseptic policy and prevention of nosocomial disease.

The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands. By frequently washing your hands you wash away germs that you have picked up from other people, from contaminated surfaces or from animals and animal waste.

What Happens if you do not wash your hands frenquently?

You can pick up germs from other sources and then you infect yourself when you touch you eyes, nose, or mouth. One of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold virus. You can also spread germs directly to other or onto surfaces that other people touch. Before you know it, everybody around you is getting sick. The important thing to remember is that in addition to colgs, some pretty serious diseases, like Hepatitis A, Meningitis, and infectious diarrhea can easily be prevented if people make a habit of washing their hands.

When should you wash your hands?

You should wash your hands often. Probably more often than you do now because you can't see germs with the naked eye, or smell them, so you do not really know where they are hiding. It is especially important to wash your hands before, udring, and after you prepare food; before you eat and after you use the bathroom; after handling animals or animal waste; when your hands are dirty, and more frewuently when you are around someone who is sick.

What is the correct way to wash your hands?

First wet your hands, and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Place the bar soap back on the rach and allow it to drain. Nest, rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces. Continue for 10-15 seconds or about the length of a little tune. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing that helps dislodge and remove more germs. Rinse well and dry your hands.

It is estimated that one out of three people do not wash their hands after using the restroom, so these tips are also important when you are out in public. Washing your hands regularly can certainly save a lot on medical bills!