Clean Hands Saves Lives!

Flu season is coming. The National College Health Assessment data from Fall 2004 showed that 24% of college students listed cold, flu and sore throat as one of the top 10 impediments to academic performance, while 9 percent of students listed sinus infection. (Source: American College Health Association. American College Health Association - National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) Web Summary. Updated April 2006. Available at http://www.acha.org/projects_programs/ncha_sampledata.cfm. 2006). Here are some words from the Center for Disease Control on proper hand washing which is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of infection:

It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
• Rinse hands well under running water
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
• Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Apply product to the palm of one hand 
• Rub hands together
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

When should you wash your hands?

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

If you have any questions or for more information, please contact Student Health Services at 576-4715.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/