The Facts and Science The Facts and Science Behind Hand WashingBehind Hand Washing

Dr. Shiva C. AithalDr. Shiva C. Aithal

Dept. of Microbiology,Dept. of Microbiology,D.S.M. College, D.S.M. College, (NAAC accredited B++ with CPE (NAAC accredited B++ with CPE

Status)Status)

PARBHANI – 431 401PARBHANI – 431 401

MaharashtraMaharashtrae-mail: shiva_aithal@rediffmail.come-mail: shiva_aithal@rediffmail.com

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

1. THESE DISEASES ARE SPREAD THROUGH THE INGESTION OF VANISHING AMOUNTS OF FECAL MATERIAL.

2. THESE DISEASES CAN BE PREVENTED WITH

GOOD HAND WASHING?

SALMONELLOISIS

Bacillary dysentery

Typhoid fever

SHIGELLOISIS and

GIARDIOSIS

Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps

Why is compliance with recommended

hand washing so poor?Some

reasons…………………….

Increasing Workload

Han

dw

ash

ing

Com

plian

ce

1. People with heavy workloads

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

• Sinks not located

• Sinks located but not functioning

• Sinks inconveniently located

2. Location of Sinks

Frequent hand washing causesskin irritation and dryness.

In the winter cracks in their skin that cause bleeding

3. Damage to Skin

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.

13-25%

40%

30-39%

Percent of organisms Organisms harbored on

unattended Skin

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 guideline developed by the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and

infection control organizations recommends

use of alcohol or disinfectant-based hand rub

New CDC guidelines

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

When should you wash your

hands with soap and water?

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.

‘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

Discovery of importance of HANDWASHING

Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis (1840) Austria.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

THANK YOU

http:// www.handhygiene.org

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