Hand Washing

Army Medicine

It is pretty simple—wash your hands.

When done properly, hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. This simple habit requires only soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

While it’s best to wash with soap and water, if they are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

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

Hand washing doesn’t take much time or effort, but offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health. Remember, clean hands save lives.

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CPT Wendell Cifre