Library News & Announcements

National Handwashing Awareness Week

This week we are observing National Handwashing Awareness. It's time to focus on one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness: handwashing. National Handwashing Awareness Week serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of proper hand hygiene, especially during the peak of cold and flu season.

As we celebrate National Handwashing Week, it's essential to remember that effective hand hygiene is a key defense against infectious diseases. To deepen your understanding of these diseases and explore valuable resources, be sure to check out our Infectious Disease guide, which offers comprehensive information tailored for both patients and healthcare professionals. Discover how you can protect yourself and others by learning more about infection prevention strategies!

Why Handwashing Matters

Proper handwashing is a powerful tool in our health arsenal:

• It can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related illnesses and 1 in 5 infections, including the flu
• It’s particularly crucial for children, as it helps prevent two of the deadliest afflictions for kids worldwide: diarrheal disease and pneumonia.
• Handwashing reduces the need for antibiotics, and as a result decreases antibiotic resistance

The Five Steps to Proper Handwashing

Remember these CDC-recommended steps:

1. Wet your hands with clean water
2. Lather with soap
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Dry with a clean towel

The American Medical Association and American Academy of Family Physicians endorse these four principles:

1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating
2. Do not cough into your hands
3. Do not sneeze into your hands
4. Don't put your fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth

Key times to wash your hands include:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating
• After using the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching garbage

This December let's commit to making clean hands a part of our daily routine. Remember, life is better with clean hands!

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