The Healthy Times
March 1997

DID YOU KNOW WASHING YOUR HANDS COULD PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING SICK?!!


Hand Washing Techniques

Lather hands with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. Wash between all fingers and the thumb. Rinse and dry hands THEN using a paper towel turn off the water. 

Our hands are our gateway to the world. Each day our hands help us to communicate with others, perform simple and complex tasks and explore our surroundings. Unfortunately, our hands can also be used to spread infections to one another! From a simple common cold or flu virus to salmonella, hepatitis, and even stomach ulcers, all can be spread by contaminated hands! Here's how it works--an infected person's hands come in contact with contaminated material (nasal secretions, feces, wound drainage, etc.) then he/she either touches another person or an inanimate object (telephone, computer keyboard, pen, etc.) which is then touched by someone else who then becomes infected and so on. You can break this chain of events simply by washing your hands. It's that easy! Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection, simply put - IT CAN SAVE LIVES! So wash your hands properly and wash them often for a long and healthy life for yourself and those you love.

Always Wash Your Hands Before:

Always Wash Your Hands After:
  • Preparing or eating food
  • Treating a wound or cut
  • Caring for someone sick
  • Inserting or removing contacts
  • Using the bathroom
  • Handling uncooked food
  • Coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
  • Handling garbage
  • Caring for someone sick

 

 

Healthy Humor

 

 

Student Health Services* Sondra Stipcak* Nurse Director* 570-321-4322