Hand hygiene
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene (pronunciation: /hænd haɪˈdʒiːn/) is a practice integral to maintaining health and preventing the spread of disease. It involves the thorough cleaning of the hands using soap and water or hand sanitizer to remove dirt, bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing agents.
Etymology
The term "hand hygiene" is derived from the Latin words "manus" meaning hand, and "hygies" meaning health, cleanliness.
Definition
Hand hygiene is the act of cleaning one's hands to remove soil, dirt, and microorganisms. This can be done with soap and clean, running water, or with the use of a hand sanitizer. Hand hygiene is recognized as a primary measure to reduce healthcare-associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Importance
Hand hygiene is considered one of the most important measures in preventing the spread of diseases. It is a simple, low-cost action that has a significant impact on public health. Diseases that are commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea.
Methods
There are two primary methods of hand hygiene:
- Handwashing: This is the process of cleaning hands with soap and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands.
- Hand Sanitizing: When soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hand hygiene
- Wikipedia's article - Hand hygiene
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