SavvyHealthGirl's Blog

Well it seems that we women are extremely concerned about the germs we can potentially acquire from being in a very unsanitary environment. The Germs, Germs, Germs post received more hits in the last couple of days, than any other post! So I thought I would stay with the theme and provide more information about other ways we can reduce our intake of nasty germs, like by washing our hands. With the colder months in progress, we are also in cold and flu season. Which means lots of germs floating around in the air and landing just about everywhere. Did you know a sneeze can travel up to 80 miles per hour across a room? Yes! (Oh boy, my germ-a-phobe scale is steadily rising). Also, when you sneeze or cough, tiny respiratory droplets are released into the air from a person’s mouth or nose. And my friends think I’m odd because I cringe and slightly duck after hearing someone release a wet sneeze nearby when I know they didn’t cover their mouth. Nodding your head? Then you know exactly what I am talking about.

Well, you should also know that bacteria and viruses can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like desks, doorknobs and restaurant/cafeteria tables. I am sure you have all noticed that several restaurants have even started placing trash cans by the restroom door, because they are very aware that people do not want to touch the doorknob, without using a papertowel, when leaving. Doorknobs carry a lot of germs and many people still don’t wash their hands after using the toilet!

This is definitely the time to be even more conscious of washing your hands, especially if you are a mother, about to become a mother in the next few months, or work around small children. For my moms, you want to carry home the least amount of germs as possible, especially if you have small children, who are constantly putting things in their mouths. For my moms-to-be, well you can’t take anything more than Sudafed and drink tea if you get sick, so we want to keep you as healthy as possible. For my women who work around small children, well let’s just say lots of runny noses, lots of coughing and using little hands to wipe these away. Wash your hands a lot!! While many of our immune systems are strong enough to ward off some germs, there are some that we can only get rid of by washing our hands. It is the easiest and most effective way to protect ourselves from most germs and most infections. Thanks to the Mayo Clinic, I found some great tips about hand washing properly and when it is most critical for you to wash your hands.

Here is the proper way to wash your hands:

Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap. Lather well.
Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse well.
Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
Use the towel to turn off the faucet.

Wash your hands after doing these things:

After using the toilet
After changing a diaper — wash the diaper-wearer’s hands, too
After touching animals or animal waste
Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
Before eating
After blowing your nose
After coughing or sneezing into your hands
Before and after treating wounds or cuts
Before and after touching a sick or injured person
After handling garbage
Before inserting or removing contact lenses
When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants

You need to know that a alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a great alternative to soap and water if it’s unavailable. They are actually more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. But, know that CDC recommends that you use only “alcohol-based” sanitzers and contain at least 60% of alcohol.

Now that I have totally freaked each of you out with all of this talk about germs, coughs, and respiratory droplets, at least you are more aware of how to stay healthy this winter. Just think how great it will feel to not have to blow your nose a hundred times because you took a few extra steps and time to wash your hands more.