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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2007
CONTACT
Marla Augustine, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-4047
Sound bites on this topic are available at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/.
Top Doc Says: Wash Your Hands!
December 2-8 is National Hand Washing Awareness Week
Lincoln—Dirty hands put everyone at risk of catching the flu, colds and other
viruses, according to the state’s Chief Medical Officer.
"If you don’t wash your hands, viruses could be transmitted every time you
touch your eyes, nose or mouth," said Dr. Joann Schaefer from the Nebraska Department
of Health and Human Services. "Hand washing doesn’t take much time or effort,
but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can
play a major role in protecting your health."
Viruses and bacteria may be on everything you touch—door knobs, keyboards, toilet
handles, food, dishes, etc.
The very young, the very old, and those with compromised immune systems are most
susceptible to viruses and bacteria. Getting the flu can lead to pneumonia—a frequent
cause of death among the elderly.
Proper hand washing:
- Wet your hands with warm, running water and lather with soap well.
- Rub your hands vigorously together for 20 seconds (singing the Happy Birthday song twice
is long enough).
- Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and
under your fingernails.
- Rinse well.
- Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
- Use a towel to turn off the faucet.
Always wash your hands:
- After using the toilet
- After changing a diaper—wash the diaper-wearer’s hands, too
- After touching animals or animal waste
- Before and after preparing food
- After blowing your nose
- After coughing or sneezing into your hands
- Before and after treating wounds or cuts
- Before and after touching a sick person
- After handling garbage
- Before inserting or removing contact lenses
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an alternative to hand washing when soap and water
aren’t available, Dr. Schaefer said.
To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Apply about ½ teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hands
- Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they’re dry.
For a funny video on the need for hand washing and another video on proper hand
washing, go to: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/newsroom/features/hand-washing.htm
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