Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
We all wash our hands don't we? But the latest world-wide spread of swine flu emphasises the importance of hand washing.
The World Health Organisation recently launched a campaign for 'hand hygiene' in health care facilities. This comes at a vital time to convey the message that good hand hygiene saves lives.
Washing your hands is the most important thing you can do to stop getting the flu. Why is this? Your hands touch many different surfaces, objects and people during the day. They all have micro-organisms (germs) on them, some are good but others are pretty bad. By frequently washing your hands you wash away germs that you have picked up from other people, from contaminated surfaces or animals.
Touching your eyes, nose or mouth after your hands have been contaminated with a virus is the most common way to catch colds or flu
It is true that some exposure to germs helps to build up our immune systems, so we fight infections and stay healthy. Exposure to others can cause a variety of illnesses from colds and flu to food poisoning.
Germs live all around us - in soil, air, water, food, animals, plants and people. Each type of germ has different needs for survival. Viruses have to be inside a living organism (a person, animal or, in some cases, a plant) to grow and multiply. Some viruses can live from 20 minutes to two hours on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.
l The writer is communications & development director at American Mission Hospital
