Why you need to washing your hand

 

Handwashing helps prevent spread of infectious diseases

A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands.

These diseases include gastrointestinal infections, such as salmonellosis, and respiratory infections, such as influenza, colds and coronavirus (COVID-19).

Washing your hands properly with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the germs (like bacteria and viruses) that cause these diseases.

Some forms of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections can cause serious complications, especially for young children, the elderly, or those with a weakened immune system.

When to wash your hands

You should wash your hands thoroughly:

• after using the toilet
• after changing nappies
• before, during and after preparing food
• between handling raw and cooked or ready-to-eat food
• before eating
• after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• after using a tissue or handkerchief
• before and after attending to sick children or other family members
• after smoking
• after handling rubbish or working in the garden
• after handling animals
• when you get home, arrive at other people’s homes, at venues or at work.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

If you feel a cough or sneeze is coming on, make sure to cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away and wash your hands.

If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. It’s a part of your body less likely to touch other surfaces and will help stop the spread of nasty germs.

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