WISCONSIN DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Department of Heath and Family Services

Disease Fact Sheet Series

Why is hand washing important?
          Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.

What types of disease can good hand washing prevent?
          Diseases spread through fecal-oral transmission. Infections which may be transmitted through this route include salmonellosis, shigellosis, hepatitis A, giardiasis, enterovirus, amebiasis, and campylobacteriosis. Because these diseases are spread through the ingestion of even the tiniest particles of fecal material, hand washing after using the toilet can not be over-emphasized.

• Diseases spread through indirect contact with respiratory secretions. Microorganisms which may be transmitted through this route include influenza, streptococcus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common cold. Because these diseases may be spread indirectly by hands freshly soiled by respiratory discharges of infected people, illness may be avoided by washing hands after coughing or sneezing and after shaking hands with an individual who has been coughing and sneezing.

• Diseases may also be spread when hands are contaminated with urine, saliva or other moist body substances. Microorganisms which may be transmitted by one or more of these body substances include cytomegalovirus, typhoid, staphylococcal organisms, and Epstein-barr virus. These germs may be transmitted from person to person or indirectly by contamination of food or inanimate objects such as toys.

What is good hand washing technique?
          There is more to hand washing than you think! By rubbing your hands vigorously with soapy water, you pull the dirt and the oily soils free from your skin. The soap lather suspends both the dirt and germs trapped inside and are then quickly washed away.
 

What are some mistakes I should avoid regarding hand washing?

• DON'T use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children's hands.
• DON'T use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.
• DON'T use a common hand towel. Always use disposable towels in day care or food preparation settings.
• DON'T use sponges or non-disposable cleaning cloths unless you launder them on a regular basis, adding chlorine bleach to the wash water. Remember that germs thrive on moist surfaces!

What are some ways to help children with good hand washing technique?
          It is important to encourage and help children to wash hands before eating, after playing outdoors or playing with pets, after using the bathroom, and after blowing their noses. Even though hands may appear to be clean, they may carry germs or microorganisms that are capable of causing disease.
          Don't assume that children know how to wash their hands properly. Supervision, especially in a day care setting, is an essential element in forming good hand washing habits in children.
          Finally, children learn by example! Let them observe good hand washing technique from the adults who care for them.