Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to people around us. Hand washing is an improved hygiene habit we all should learn and cultivate to lead a healthy life.

The spread of many diseases can be reduced by simple hand washing habit. In this article, I will discuss why, how and when we should wash our hands.

WHY YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR HANDS

We should wash our hands for so many reasons. Most importantly, we should wash our hands to stay healthy and prevent the spread of diseases (food borne diseases).

Germs can be spread by contact. Studies show that a gram of faeces contains about 1 trillion germs that causes disease. Handling raw meat can also contaminate one's hand because it may contain small amount of invisible animal faeces.

Most people frequently put their hands in their nose, eye and mouth and germs can be passed into the body through these openings.

When people handle food or drinks with unwashed hands, there is a 95% chance of transferring these germs to the food before they are consumed and most germs grow in these foods under certain conditions (temperature).

Germs can be transferred to other surfaces such as hand rails, children toys, etc. Washing of hands is advisable to prevent spreading germ to people unknowingly. This is why it is advised not to use hand rails at public places especially when you do not know how sanitized they are.

Washing of hands also prevent diseases such as dysentry, respiratory diseases and infection of eye, nose, mouth, skin or ear.

Full article on my blog - http://www.barypresh.com.ng/2017/08/hand-washing-why-we-should-practice-it.html