Aug 23, 2023
982
Wellness
Get an 'A' in hand hygiene
The significance of hand hygiene
Your hands are the greatest germ carriers on your body. They touch everything that everyone else has touched: that pen you use at the grocery store to sign the electronic checkout, the gas pump handle, the seat on the school bus or the door handle into the lecture hall at college. And, try as hard as you might to avoid it, they will almost always find their way, and right away, to your mouth, eyes, touching your friends or loved ones. Hand washing is important and here's why:
Expert advice: Prioritize hand hygiene and hand washing
“The future is in your hands,” said Dr. Chris Snyder, a TidalHealth hospitalist, Chief Quality Officer, and hand hygiene advocate. “Practicing religious hand hygiene will keep you safe. Sanitize them frequently.”
Germs and enclosed spaces: A back-to-school reality
Dr. Snyder also reminds us that this is the time of the year when we’re about to start congregating in those enclosed places that are ideal breeding grounds for germs and infections — closed spaces like classrooms, dorm rooms, dining halls and cafeterias.
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Here are some tips to help keep you healthy as you venture back to school:
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60 percent alcohol by looking at the product label.
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Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. A good rule is singing happy birthday to yourself, twice, as you’re washing your hands.
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Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
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Get vaccinated against the flu and Covid 19 and consult your doctor about other recommended vaccines.
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Stay informed on the latest health guidelines and school policies to ensure you or your children are following best practices.
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Don’t share personal items like water bottles, utensils, or pencils.
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Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water to boost your immune system.
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Get plenty of sleep to help your body fight off infections.
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If you’re not feeling well, stay home and see your doctors or visit an urgent care center if conditions worsen.
Navigating health guidelines and school policies
Don’t ever be afraid to speak up if you see something that needs addressing. Schools should be (and most are) frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are often touched during the school day. Although Covid 19 is not as much the center of the discussion, it’s also OK to continue practicing social distancing and masking to prevent the spread of germs.
“Back to school coincides with the cold and flu season creating a perfect storm for infections to spread,” said Danielle Giddins, MD, primary care physician and TidalHealth’s Chief Wellness Officer. “Now is the time parents should be anticipating the possibility of more illnesses by having those over-the-counter medicines ready, while speaking with their children about necessary precautions.”
Always take a proactive approach when it comes to your health and schedule an appointment with your primary care physician if needed. If you need a doctor, TidalHealth has providers located near you.
