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Hand
Washing:
A Sure Way to Prevent the Spread of Disease
You
probably are familiar with the names of Louis
Pasteur, Jonas Salk and Florence Nightingale.
As a result of their innovative medical care,
millions of lives have been saved.
It
has long been my opinion that the name of Dr.
Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865) should also be included
in this list of medical heroes. Why? Because Dr.
Semmelweis was the first physician known to recognize
and promote the medical benefits of hand washing.
What? Yes, hand washing. Initially, Dr. Semmelweis'
theory that infections were transmitted from one
patient to another by the unclean hands of the
medical staff was ridiculed and dismissed. Eventually,
he demonstrated that when the hospital staff washed
their hands with antiseptic soap and water before
examining patients, there was a dramatic decline
in the death rate on the hospital wards.
Decades
later, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), the simple practice of hand
washing remains one of the most important means
of preventing the spread of infection. Even with
modern day immunizations and technology, infection-control
experts say hand washing may be your best protection
from a cold or the flu. This is what happens:
someone sneezes or coughs into their hand and
touches a door handle or phone. Then, you touch
the same object, or shake their hand, and touch
your face or nose. That's all it takes.
Colds
and the flu are not the only threats. Other illnesses
transmitted by dirty hands are:
- Hepatitis
A - a highly contagious form of hepatitis,
spread mainly through the fecal-oral route.
In 2002, 74 cases were reported in Arkansas.
It can be carried on an infected person's hands
and spread by consuming contaminated food or
drink. Good hygiene, including frequent hand
washing, is the primary means of prevention.
- E.
coli O157 - a life-threatening strain of
common bacteria linked to undercooked beef (especially
ground beef), unpasteurized milk, and contaminated
raw fruits and vegetables. Cooking meat thoroughly
can prevent the infection. Person-to-person
transmission, via the fecal-oral route, is another
way the disease is spread. Infected persons
and food preparers should use good hygiene and
wash their hands frequently with soap and water.
Twelve cases were reported in Arkansas in 2002.
- Salmonellosis
-- a bacterial infection that can cause severe
gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
Foods of animal origin (poultry, red meat, eggs,
unpasteurized milk and other dairy products)
often contain the bacteria and, if undercooked,
may cause disease. The infection is also spread
by person-to-person contact. There were 1,074
cases reported in Arkansas in 2002. Frequent
hand washing can prevent the spread to other
persons.
It
is estimated that infections acquired in health
facilities, unrelated to a patient's original
condition, cost $4.5 million annually in extended
care and treatment in Arkansas. Such infections
also cause deaths among nursing home patients.
According to many recent studies, improper or
infrequent hand washing is a major factor in the
spread of infections in healthcare facilities
as well as in day-care settings.
Linda
Gladden, Communicable Disease/Immunization nurse
coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Health,
says, "We all need to evaluate our hand washing
practices and improve our efforts." You probably
wash your hands less often than you think. A survey
found that 94 percent of Americans say they always
wash their hands after going to the bathroom,
but observations show only 68 percent of adults
actually do so.
Remember;
always wash your hands before you:
- prepare
or eat food;
- treat
a cut or wound or tend to someone who is sick;
- insert
or remove contact lens.
You
should also remember to wash your hands after
you go to the bathroom, handle uncooked food,
blow your nose, cough or sneeze, change a diaper,
handle garbage, or tend to someone sick or injured.
So,
for this New Year, add hand washing as one of
your resolutions. For more information or a brochure
on hand washing, call the Arkansas Department
of Health's Communicable Disease Office at 501-661-2169,
or visit our website at www.healthyarkansas.com.
Good
Health Manners (respiratory etiquette)
Prevent Illness
The
early flu season, concern over vaccine supply
and an increased rate of pertussis (whooping cough)
this year demonstrate the need for more information
about preventing respiratory illnesses. So, the
Arkansas Department of Health is launching a statewide
"respiratory etiquette" campaign to
promote simple measures that help prevent the
spread of disease during the cough, cold and flu
season.
"This
is about 'good health manners,'" said Communicable
Disease Director Dr. Sandra Snow. "We all
hate being sick. It's just good manners to do
what you can to avoid spreading germs to others."
Respiratory
infections affect the nose, throat and lungs.
They include influenza (the "flu"),
colds, pertussis and severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS). The germs that cause these infections
are spread from person-to-person in droplets from
the nose, throat and lungs of someone who is sick.
"Practicing
respiratory etiquette is really simple,"
added Dr. Snow. "The things your Mom told
you about what to do when you cough or sneeze
really do work." Those things include covering
your nose and mouth when you sneeze, cough, or
blow your nose; using a tissue or handkerchief
when possible; washing your hands frequently and
thoroughly; and staying home when you have a cough
and fever. When you are ill, wash your hands often.
If
you are coughing and sneezing when visiting a
health-care provider such as a family doctor,
local clinic or hospital, you may be asked to
put on a surgical-type mask to prevent spreading
germs to others who are waiting for care. Wearing
a mask - if asked - is about good health manners
and infection control; you shouldn't take it personally.
Everyone
has seen a doctor, nurse, or other health care
worker wearing a face mask at one time or another.
These masks are a simple, wise precaution that
helps prevent the spread of many diseases. It
helps protect the other people in these clinical
settings.
You
can make a difference by practicing these good
health manners:
- Cover
your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing,
coughing or blowing your nose.
- Dispose
of used tissue as soon as possible.
- Always
wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your
nose, or coughing, or after touching used tissues
or handkerchiefs. Wash hands often if you are
sick.
- Use
warm water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers
to wash your hands.
- Try
to stay home if you have a cough and fever.
- See
your doctor as soon as you can if you have a
cough and fever. Follow their instructions,
including taking medicine and getting plenty
of rest.
- If
asked to, use facemasks provided in your doctor's
or clinic waiting room and follow their instructions
to help stop the spread of germs.
- Clinics
and hospitals may ask you to wear a facemask
in waiting areas and exam rooms if you have
a fever and cough or a rash.
The
Department of Health also recommends taking precautions
to prevent catching germs from others:
- Wash
your hands before eating, or touching your eyes,
nose, or mouth.
- Wash
your hands after touching anyone else who is
sneezing, coughing, has a runny nose or is blowing
their nose.
- Don't
share things like cigarettes, towels, lipstick,
toys, or anything else that might be contaminated
with respiratory germs.
- Don't
share food, utensils or beverage containers
with others.
Media
Queries
Due to the volume of media
queries regarding the flu in Arkansas, the Arkansas
Department of Health's Department of Communications
is making available to all media an email query
line. Members of the media may submit questions
by email by clicking
here
as
an alternative. The email should include a contact
name, media name, deadline for information and any
questions.
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