Hand Washing for Flu Prevention

Washing hands frequently is probably the single, most important way that you can prevent infection from the flu virus—any flu virus -- seasonl flu, swine flu, avian flu H5N1 , or any other virus.

Photo courtesy of Mike Licht

When washing your hands, you can use an antibacterial soap or just soap and water—but wash, wash, wash!

Teach your children to wash their hands frequently. They should wash their hands:

• after using the bathroom
• before eating
• after touching things in a store
• after being on public transportation
• after touching objects at school

At least while swine flu is still an issue, have your children wash their hands—at the drop of a hat!

Here are some ways to make sure that you are hand washing correctly and keeping your hands clean and healthy:

• When washing hands, use soap and friction for 20 seconds, then rinse—most people don’t wash long enough!

• After washing, moisturize your hands with hand lotion to keep them from becoming dry and cracked—chapped or cracked skin can become a friendly home for bacteria or viruses.

• Wash your hands after touching money, shopping carts, faucets, drinking fountain handles, door handles, children’s toys, the outside of a car.

• If you don’t have soap and water readily available, use an alcohol based hand cleaner. Keep some in your purse, in your desk at work and in the car. This is actually a very effective way to kill virus germs on your hands.

• The most common way to acquire the flu is by shaking hands with an infected person or by touching a surface contaminated with virus germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Don’t shake hands—or, if you must, wash your hands immediately afterward.

In addition to all the hand washing, keep your nails short and clean under your nails with a file and then scrape them on a bar of soap to get soap under the nails. Then, rinse your nails well.

While it may seem like an annoying activity to keep hand washing all day--don't dismay! Washing hands frequently to prevent flu viruses from infecting you is a very effective way to prevent infection. It will be well worth your efforts.

More on Pandemic Flu Prevention

How to Wash Hands Properly

When to Wash Hands

Home Hygiene

How to Kill Virus Germs

Infection Control

Handling Raw Pork

Social Distancing

Flu Prevention for In Home Care

Swine Flu in Children

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