Handwashing and the Holidays

Kaley Smith, MHA, Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Gateway Health Center

Happy National Handwashing Awareness Week! 

National Handwashing Awareness Week runs this year from December 1 – 7, and with the cold/flu and the holiday season right upon us, this is a perfect time to highlight the importance of good hygiene practices. 

During the last couple of centuries, we have certainly come a long way in not only the field of medicine, but with hygiene and antiseptic practices that keep us alive and well.  The history of handwashing dates to Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian-born physician, in the year 1847.  He made observations which lead to the practice of handwashing in medical clinics.  While he was working in an obstetrics clinic, Dr. Semmelweis noticed that fatal childbed (or ‘puerperal’) fever occurred significantly more frequently in women who were assisted by medical students, compared to those assisted by midwives.  After meticulous review of clinical practices, he discovered that the medical students who assisted in childbirth often did so after performing autopsies on patients that had died from sepsis (of bacterial origin).  After instituting a strict handwashing policy, mortality rates dropped 20-fold within three months, demonstrating disease transfer could be significantly reduced by this simple act. 

Hygiene starts and end with our hands, as they are continuously used throughout the day.  Using good hygiene practices prevent the spread of germs and reduces respiratory illnesses.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) refers to handwashing as the ‘DIY (do it yourself) Vaccine’.  According to the CDC, “handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related illnesses and 1 in 5 inductions, including the flu”. 

For handwashing to be most effective, you must do it right.  Experts recommend washing your hands with soap and clean water (warm or cold) for at least 20 seconds and to get a good lather going.  Clean the palms, or inside of your hands, as well as the backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and under the nails.  Dry your hands using a clean towel or paper. 

What about hand sanitizers if I am not able to wash my hands, are they effective?  Proper-hand washing is best, but when soap and water are not available hand sanitizers offer a substitution for cleaning hands when ‘on-the-go’.  Apply the sanitizer to one palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and rub the product over all surfaces of your hands until your hands are dry.  It is important to note that hand sanitizers are not effective if your hands are visibly soiled or dirty. 

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Be sure to wash your hands, cover your cough and sneezes, and keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to remain healthy and well during the holiday season. 

Coastal Gateway Health Center can be reached by phone at 409.296.4444 or by email at [email protected].  Or for more information regarding our services and programs, please visit our website at www.coastalgatewayhc.org or find and follow us on Facebook.  We are proud to be #yourcommunityhealthcenter.