Reasons Why Handwashing Is Important

Prevent Germ Transfer To Face

Throughout the day, everyone picks up germs on their hands as they touch surfaces around them. Unfortunately, when someone touches their face, they can transfer these germs into their body. Thankfully, individuals can break the link between germs on their hands and developing an illness by keeping their hands clean with proper handwashing. Experts estimate that the average individual touches their face sixteen times every hour. Everyone touches their nose, mouth, and eyes. Touching these areas allows germs to enter the body.

Experts recommend washing hands frequently to prevent germ transfer. If individuals do not have access to a sink, hand sanitizer can be used. They should wash their hands when they arrive at work and when they come home. Individuals should also wash their hands after arriving home from errands and after visiting any location outside their home. It is especially crucial for individuals to wash their hands after visiting someone who is sick and after handling food, trash, money, pets, or any items that may not be clean.

Avoid Falling Ill

Handwashing is one of the most vital steps individuals can take to avoid falling ill. According to the latest estimates, handwashing prevents around thirty percent of illnesses related to diarrhea. In addition, handwashing stops twenty percent of colds and other respiratory infections. It also helps combat antibiotic resistance. Handwashing with soap is especially important for children. Scientists estimate that handwashing with soap protects one in three children who fall ill with diarrhea, and it is believed to protect one in five children who are ill with pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

Individuals need to wash their hands with soap after using the toilet to avoid falling ill. There are over one trillion germs in a gram of human feces, and the germs can cause norovirus, adenovirus, and hand-foot-mouth disease. Proper handwashing techniques reduce colds and respiratory illnesses by up to twenty-one percent in the general population and decrease diarrhea by as much as forty percent. Proper handwashing cuts the rate of diarrheal illness by up to fifty-eight percent in individuals with weakened immune systems as well. Among schoolchildren, handwashing reduces absences due to gastrointestinal illness by up to fifty-seven percent.