Nov 01, 2024
Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing your hands with soap and clean, running water. Tonight, an Infection Preventionist with United Hospital Center explains what you should do if soap and water are not readily available.
1). Should I wash my hands after using the bathroom at home?
CDC recommends always washing your hands after you use the toilet, whether it is in your home or somewhere else. Germs in stool can make you sick. These germs can get on your hands after you use the toilet or change a diaper. If you don’t wash them off, you can pass them from person to person and make people sick. Make a habit of washing your hands after you use the toilet every time to reduce your chance of getting sick and spreading germs.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
2). What are some key times when you should wash your hands?
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before and after eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound · After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After touching garbage
3). Should I reuse a towel to dry my hands at home?
The CDC recommends using a clean towel to dry your hands when possible. Towels should be cleaned frequently and changed when visibly dirty and before they develop mildew from remaining damp.
This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.
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