Cold and Flu Prevention - as Simple as Washing Your Hands

Hand washing is one of the simplest, easiest, and most effective ways to prevent the flu and other illnesses. Amazingly, it is also one of the most overlooked. Health care experts recommend scrubbing your hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds with soap and water; about as long as it takes to recite the English alphabet. This will wash away cold viruses and staph and strep bacteria, as well as many other disease-causing microbes. This also will help prevent accidentally passing those germs on to others.

It is especially important to wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after your prepare food
• Before you eat, and after you use the bathroom
• After handling animals or animal waste
• When your hands are dirty, and
• More frequently when someone in your home is sick

If you are unable to wash your hands, waterless hand sanitizers containing alcohol have been found to be as effective as soap and water at preventing the spread of infection.

Originally published in Veterans' Health Today , Winter 2005, Page 5