Share:
Hand hygiene This is important when washing your hands!
For the eighth time, the International Day of Hand Hygiene takes place this year. The Action Day, initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009, aims to raise awareness about the importance of hand washing every year. Because this is one of the most important infection prevention measures and can significantly reduce the risk of diseases such as diarrhea or flu. In an interview with the "Augsburger Allgemeine" an expert explains what is important for proper hand hygiene.
Diseases are transmitted in most cases over the hands
"Please wash your hands first": even small children are taught to wash their hands before eating or after playing in the garden. In adulthood, this is usually taken for granted, yet some do not take it quite so seriously with hand hygiene. This can have nasty consequences, because according to WHO estimates, up to 80 percent of all infectious diseases are transmitted by hand. As explained by Monika Schulze, Senior Physician for Hygiene at the Augsburg Hospital, it would not be possible to exactly determine in the private sector how many infections are caused by germs on the hands. But in hospitals, they are the main cause of disease transmission, the expert told the newspaper.
Only thorough hand washing can remove pathogens from the skin. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com) Thousands of bacteria live on the hands
According to the expert, one square centimeter of skin is colonized by ten million microorganisms, with about 150 different types of bacteria on their hands alone. Many of them are harmless and even important, because the tiny microorganisms are part of the natural skin flora and protect the skin like a "shield" from diseases. However, if this is injured or weakened our immune system, the microorganisms can get into deeper layers of the skin and cause an infection. For example, according to Schulze, flu, a cold or a cold are often transmitted via the hands, the latter even more often in this way than by the so-called "droplet infection" when speaking. In addition to diarrhea such. Salmonella or the norovirus often passed over the hands.
"The knowledge of simple infection control measures and their consistent implementation in everyday life helps to stay healthy," Dr. Heidrun Thaiss from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) in a statement on the occasion of the World Trade Hygiene Day. "A thorough hand hygiene is essential and a suitable first measure to prevent the spread of pathogens," said the head of the BzgA on.
Soak for at least 20 seconds
Accordingly, to kill the harmful agents on the hands, regular and thorough hand washing is the most important hygiene rule. Soap should be used as it removes dirt and microbes better from the skin than water alone. An important role also plays the duration, because the fingers are held only briefly under the water jet, it brings only little and most pathogens remain on the palm. Instead, hands should be wet with warm water and rubbed with soap carefully for at least 20 seconds. It is important to also clean the interdigital spaces, fingertips and nails. After rinsing, hands should be well dried in all places. In public toilets here is recommended a disposable towel, at home it is advisable according to Schulze that everyone has their own towel.
Disinfection of the hands is usually not necessary
However, disinfection is usually not necessary because "our body is designed to handle germs. This strengthens the immune system, "explains Schulze. In addition, the special remedies would also work against the beneficial bacteria and the natural protective film of the skin, which we need as protection against pathogens. It looks different, however, when a flu epidemic or a gastrointestinal virus "goes around". Then, according to the expert, for a limited time the disinfection of the hands may be useful. The same applies to people with weakened defense system, but this should be discussed in advance with the doctor.
Pathogens are romping on door handles and smartphones
Washing your hands is so important because you can avoid the pathogens. They are everywhere on everyday objects, especially where many hands alternate. Doorknobs and shopping cart handles are e.g. Places where a large number of pathogens frolic, as well as on the smartphone and tablet, explains Schulze. For most people, however, these are harmless, because a healthy immune system can well ward off the potential "attacker". Therefore, the smartphone or the telephone in the office would not need to be regularly disinfected. "You usually only use the smartphone yourself. That means that only bacteria of the own skin flora are on it and they do not matter to us," says Schulze. (No)