Handwashing
HandwashingAvoiding contagious diseases like the common cold, strep throat, and the flu is important to everyone. Here are five easy things you can do to fight the spread of infection.
1. Use proper handwashing technique.
- Clean your hands with soap and warm water. Rub your hands really well for at least 15 seconds.
- Or, if your hands do not look dirty, clean them with alcohol-based sanitizers. Rub the sanitizer all over your hands, especially under your nails and between your fingers, until your hands are dry.
- Clean your hands before touching or eating food, and after using the bathroom, taking out the trash, changing a diaper, visiting someone who is ill, or playing with a pet.
2. Check your health care providers.
- Make sure health care providers clean their hands and wear gloves before they begin treating you.
- Don’t be afraid to gently remind them to wear gloves.
3. Avoid spreading germs to others.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of infection to others. Be sure to throw away used tissues and then clean your hands.
- If you don’t have tissue, cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow or hands.
- If you use your hands, wash them right away.
4. If you are sick, avoid close contact with other people.
- Stay home if you have a fever.
- When you go for medical treatment, call ahead and ask if there’s anything you can do to avoid infecting people in the waiting room.
5. Get shots to avoid disease and fight the spread of infection.
Make sure that your vaccinations are current, even for adults.
Check with your doctor about shots you may need. Vaccinations are available to prevent these diseases: Chicken pox, Mumps, Measles, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis, Shingles, Meningitis, Flu (also known as influenza), Whooping cough (also known as Pertussis), German measles (also known as Rubella), Pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Human papillomavirus (HPV).
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