National Handwashing Awareness Week
National Handwashing Week, observed annually in December, serves as a reminder of the crucial role that hand hygiene plays in maintaining our health and well-being. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the simple yet highly effective habit of handwashing. In this blog, you will read about ways to prevent the spread of illnesses, the significance of handwashing, and the science behind the transmission of infection agents.
The Science of Transmission:
Infection typically occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites reproduce and spread throughout the body. There are various ways that this can happen. Knowledge of the modes of transmission of an infection is very important for prevention and control.
Modes of Transmission:
Direct Contact: Transmission through direct physical contact with an infected individual or their bodily fluids.
Indirect Contact: Touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with an infectious agent.
Droplet: Transmission refers to the spread of infectious respiratory droplets generated when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or breathes.
Aerosol: Involves small particles from the respiratory tract that remain suspended in the air and travel on air currents, infecting any new host who inhales the particles.
Vector-Borne Transmission: Insects or animals (vectors) transmit infectious agents from one host to another.
Lack of proper handwashing and sanitation is the main culprit for spreading disease in many sources, including schools, offices, public transportation and spaces, and healthcare facilities.
Nosocomial Infection:
One of the most perilous modes of transmission is known as Nosocomial infection, or healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These infections manifest within healthcare facilities—spanning nursing homes, doctors' offices, dental offices, ambulatory settings, and emergency rooms—during the course of medical treatment. Various factors contribute to the occurrence of these infections, ranging from the abundance of microorganisms in healthcare environments and the presence of patients with contagious diseases to transmission through staff, diagnostic procedures, overcrowding, and the use of contaminated instruments. Even seemingly mundane activities, such as the transfer of a food tray, can facilitate transmission. The risk factors associated with nosocomial infections may lead to extended hospital stays. On a positive note, these infections can be effectively prevented through rigorous adherence to proper hand hygiene and sterilization practices. It is imperative that all medical staff and patients comprehensively understand and implement these procedures to safeguard the health of everyone.
How to Properly Wash Hands:
Use soap and water: Soap is crucial for breaking down and removing germs effectively.
Scrub for at least 20 seconds: Ensure a thorough cleansing by scrubbing your hands for the full recommended duration.
Clean all parts of your hands: Do not forget the often-neglected areas, including between the fingers, fingertips, thumbs, top of wrists, and especially under the nails.
Dry hands completely: Drying hands completely is essential to prevent the survival of any remaining germs.
Washing your hands is the most effective way to get rid of any antimicrobials/germs left on the surface of the skin. But sometimes, water and soap cannot be readily available. The best option for sanitization without soap and water is the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The sanitizer needs to be at least 60% alcohol to productively clean the surface of the skin. While sanitizer is great, here are some things to remember when using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
It does not get rid of all types of germs.
It cannot remove any harmful chemicals or heavy pesticides from your hands.
It cannot remove any residual grease or dirt.
Some antiseptics/sanitizers, such as iodine compounds, may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.
Handwashing is the cornerstone of infection prevention, especially in hospitals. Keeping our bodies clean can significantly contribute to the overall health of the public, weakened or immunocompromised individuals, and medical healthcare professionals. Please make sure to wash your hands, sanitize often, and play your pivotal role in the global antimicrobial infection prevention plan.
For more information regarding handwashing, you can visit these websites:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559312/
