Washing your hands can help to keep you healthy by stopping the spread of infections. Handwashing with soap and water can help prevent 1 in 5 respiratory illnesses and 1 in 3 diarrheal illnesses.
You are able to prevent infections when you wash your hands with soap and water because:
- People often touch their eyes, nose, and mouth, which is an easy way for germs to get into the body and cause illness.
- Germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or eat them.
- Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to objects, like handrails or doorknobs, and then transferred to another person’s hands.
Thoroughly disinfecting your hands is particularly important at key times such as after using the bathroom, when preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
If you develop an infection and have an underlying health condition, you may need Home Healthcare. Complications from certain infections may require nursing treatment to assist with wound care and/or disease state management. Contact your physician for a referral to JAA Home Healthcare.
TIP: When handwashing, people most often miss their thumbs, fingertips, and between their fingers. Don’t forget these areas!