Facts And Science Behind Handwashing By Aithal Shiva

The Facts and Science Behind Hand Washing

DSM_College_1

Dr. Shiva C. Aithal Dept. of Microbiology, D.S.M. College, (NAAC accredited B++ with CPE Status) PARBHANI – 431 401 Maharashtra e-mail: [email protected]

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• Why should we clean our hands? • Barriers to frequent handwashing. • How do hands become contaminated? • To create a awareness which I hope you all will remember for your lifetime. • You all will spread this awareness.

Why is cleaning your hands so important? • Studies show that infection causing bacteria are frequently spread through the hands  One gram of human feces can contain 10 million viruses and one million bacteria  One gram of garden soil harbors 10,000,000 (107) bacteria including viruses which include both harmful and non harmful

SALMONELLOISIS Bacillary dysentery Typhoid fever

SHIGELLOISIS and GIARDIOSIS Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps

• THESE DISEASES ARE SPREAD THROUGH THE INGESTION OF VANISHING AMOUNTS OF FECAL MATERIAL. • THESE DISEASES CAN BE PREVENTED WITH GOOD HAND WASHING?

Why is compliance with recommended hand washing so poor? Some reasons…………………….

Compliance

A recent study showed that the busier workers are, the less likely they are to wash their hands when recommended

Handwashing

1. People with heavy workloads

Increasing Workload

2. Location of Sinks

• Sinks not located • Sinks located but not functioning • Sinks inconveniently located

3. Damage to Skin

Frequent hand washing causes skin irritation and dryness. In the winter cracks in their skin that cause bleeding

4. Many people don’t realize they have germs on their hands (Hands Look Clean) Workers can get 100s or 1000s of bacteria on their hands by doing simple tasks, like

Culture plate showing growth of bacteria 24 hours after a worker placed her hand on the plate

Fomite: Any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms (such as germs or parasites) and hence transferring them from one individual to another.

Percent of organisms Organisms harbored on unattended Skin

13-25% 40% 30-39%

Does handwashing really reduce the spread of bacteria? YES! A scientific study found that when people did not wash their hands between contacts, have more bacteria than people who washed their hands with an antimicrobial soap. Several other studies also show that washing hands between contacts reduces the spread of bacteria .

New CDC guidelines

• New guideline developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and infection control organizations recommends use of alcohol or disinfectant-based hand rub

When should you wash your hands with soap and water? Wash your hands with plain soap and water, or with antimicrobial soap and water if: • Your hands are visibly soiled (dirty) • Hands are visibly contaminated body fluids • Before and after eating • After using lavatories

‘Glow Germ demo,’ to demolish the myth, ‘Visible clean is safe clean’ and demonstrate ‘Water is not enough.’ Bacteria glowing on skin after applying the “Glow Lotion” To demonstrate bacteria exist after a casual hand wash

A composition is formulated with generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredients for use as a non-radio-active simulant of radiological contamination. The compositions can be used for training exercises, testing, and research studies, and they can be applied safely to human skin.

Discovery of importance of HANDWASHING

Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis (1840) Austria.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

http://www.lifebuoy.com/swasthya_chetna.html http:// www.handhygiene.org

THANK YOU