Recently I was visiting a friend in Germany, and she told me that she didn’t think that I washed my hands enough. Being the defiant person that I am, I think that as long as my immune system is in tip top shape, I won’t get ill. This may be true, but she did make me realise how essential this practice is. Since then, I have been washing my hands much more, and am even grossed out when I don’t. Ironically, recent studies confirm my new discovery.
Studies published in the American Journal of Infection Control have shown that hand washing can have a positive impact on the health of families by preventing disease.
Most other studies on hand washing have revealed the importance in the work place, particularly in the health care and food industries. Now the importance to households is being recognised.
Researchers tested toilet bowls in homes where at least one person had been diagnosed with a salmonella infection. As much as three weeks after the infection, toilet bowls were still found to be contaminated with the bacteria. This reveals that even though the infection may not be showing as symptoms, it can still be spread throughout the home.
In another study, volunteers touched a door handle which was contaminated with a virus. They then shook hands with a number of other volunteers. Tests showed that the virus had been spread to the other people.
The researchers said that cleaning key surfaces that can potentially spread disease, such as doorknobs, faucets and toilet flush handles could dramatically reduce the transmission of disease. Washing hands after sneezing or using the toilet, or before eating, could also have a positive effect on health and wellbeing.
So for me, I will continue my new revolutionary hand washing practice…with organic chemical and toxin free soap of course!
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