Sing “Happy Birthday!” and Say “Goodbye” to Germs
12.17.09
Sing “Happy Birthday!” and Say “Goodbye” to Germs
What do Strep, Staph, swine flu and E-Coli have in common? They are just a few of the different types of germs that might be on your hands at this very moment! These germs can give you pink eye, diarrhea, a sore throat, “the flu” and … the list goes on and on.
During this winter season, there are five main ways for infection to be spread:
1) contact (either direct or indirect), 2) droplets (can occur during talking, sneezing or coughing), 3) airborne (small droplets expelled from the infected person that remain in the air to be inhaled later by a susceptible person), 4) common vehicle (the bug is carried by contaminated food, water or equipment), 5) vector borne (spread of infection by flies, rodents, or mosquitoes.)
Germs are everywhere! During the winter season when we are confined to the indoors, we are more susceptible to picking up one of these bugs. Did you know that some viruses and bacteria can live for two hours or more on surfaces such as tables, desks, doorknobs, escalators, ATM machines, and handrails?
It is impossible for us not to pick up some germs. However, without proper hand washing, you could be carrying around who-knows-what. Proper hand washing is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading disease to our family and friends.
During December, we celebrate National Handwashing Awareness Week. This is an opportunity for us to review proper handwashing techniques: turn water on using paper towel, work soap into lather, rub together all surfaces of the hands including between the fingers, turn faucet off using paper towel, and exit room using yet another paper towel to open the door. One of the common flaws in handwashing is not taking long enough to complete your task. The CDC recommends that you sing “Happy Birthday” twice for the appropriate length of hand washing time.
Here are some other simple measures that you can take in your daily life to stay healthy during this winter season:
• Cover your mouth and nose with your upper arm (not your hands) when you sneeze or cough
• Take care of cuts, scratches and wounds
• Keep your skin healthy by applying moisturizing lotion frequently
• Use prescription antibiotics responsibly
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick
• Practice good hygiene at the gym and when out in the community (Use disinfectant wipes before/after using exercise machines and office equipment such as computers and phones.)
No one can protect you entirely from the germs that surround us. However, if you practice all of the above items you will increase your chances of staying well.
Remember “Happy Birthday…Happy Birthday” to stay healthy this holiday season!
This article was submitted by Rodney McBride, a member of the Lee’s Summit Health Education Advisory Board. The Lee's Summit Health Education Advisory Board is a Mayor-appointed, volunteer board that promotes and advocates community health by assessing health issues, educating the public and government agencies, developing plans to address health issues, encouraging partnerships and evaluating the outcomes.
“Health is a state of complete mental, physical, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” World Health Organization
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