Handwashing -
For Your Health And Others

La Marque - Despite an ever increasing threat from antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” and emerging new illnesses, "a large number of people have forgotten the single best piece of infection control advice Mom ever gave them — always wash your hands after you go the bathroom,” said Kurt Koopmann, Public Information Officer for the Galveston County Health District.

Despite increased publicity during the past several years about the importance of basic hand-washing in limiting the spread of infectious disease, studies have not shown an increase in the number of people washing their hands when needed.

“While it may seem funny at first, this is really a very serious issue. We really need to help the public understand the importance of hand-washing,” said Chuck Chambers, Epidemiologist with the Galveston County Health District. “Hand-washing is the simplest, most effective thing people can do to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.”

Information provided by the district shows that hand-washing is an effective front-line defense against bacteria and other organisms which cause colds, flu, skin problems and even deadly communicable diseases.

“Remember to wash your hands after sneezing, after blowing or touching your nose and after using the restroom,” according to Mark Guidry, M.D., M.P.H., Health Authority, Galveston County Health District. “Hands should be clean before you touch your eyes, mouth, nose or any cuts or scrapes on the skin.”

Some studies show many people only rinse their hands with water, which is not enough. Public health officials recommend the following procedures, especially after using a restroom and before eating:

• Wet your hands, then lather them with soap.
• Rub them together vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
• Cover the backs of your hands, between fingers and even your wrists.
• Try to remove dirt from under your fingernails
• Rinse well with warm water
• Dry thoroughly with a paper towel
• Use the towel to turn off the faucet, and dispose of it properly

Proper hand-washing is important to preventing the spread of communicable diseases. Chambers said it is simple. “Soap is inexpensive, water is plentiful and hand-washing doesn’t really take very much time,” he said. “It is something everyone can do to reduce health risks for themselves and others.”

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org