One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from germs and bacteria is to take care of your personal hygiene.
When you touch an object you forget how contaminated the item can be.
If you do not wash your hands with soap, you will allow microbes to enter the body.
Doctors say that proper personal hygiene significantly reduces the risk of diarrhea, respiratory diseases, eye and skin infections, colds, flu.
Washing your hands with soap is especially necessary for people with weak immune
systems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines are to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you have trouble keeping track, try humming the entire “Happy Birthday” song twice before rinsing.
When should you wash your hands?
- after being in a public place
- after touching a surface that may have been frequently touched by others (doorknobs, tables, handles, shopping carts, etc.)
- before touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth in particular)
- before, during, and after cooking
- after changing a child’s diaper
- after using the bathroom
- after caring for your pet
- after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing
- before and after administering first aid, including treating your own cut or wound
- before and after eating
Source:
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands
