Blog, Care homes, General news, Medical and healthcare, Workforce hand washing
How regular hand washing “can help stop the spread of winter viruses”
Feb
Health officials reveal the difference that it can make…
Hand washing – and by this we mean effective soap and water hand washing – “can make a difference” in the face of the above average spread of winter illnesses, as long as it’s carried out at the right times, using good techniques – and for a suitable amount of time, according to a recent advisory article on the Wrexham.com website.
The report quotes Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection at Public Health Wales, who emphasised the importance of the activity.
“Handwashing is a simple yet powerful tool in preventing the spread of winter viruses.”
The simple act of cleansing won’t do the job effectively if it’s not undertaken properly however warns Dr Shankar. “By taking just 30 seconds to wash your hands properly, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from illnesses like flu and COVID-19.”
Increased risk of infection
Not washing hands for long enough puts people – and those around them – at a greater risk of infection says the report, which refers to a survey that revealed that 46% of Welsh respondents washed their hands for less than 20 seconds.
The same surgery did nonetheless show an encouragingly positive trend, with 52% of those surveyed stating that they washed for more than 20 seconds, which is a considerable rise on a similar April 2024 survey, where the percentage was only 40.
“The recommended healthcare guidance from Public Health Wales for good hand washing is 30 seconds using soap and water, and the extra time taken can be effective in killing germs and preventing the spread of infection.”
Washing hands well with soap and water is equally effective against a range of illnesses, including both flu and COVID-19, says the article. And of course it’s essential to help curb the spread of norovirus on the grounds that “alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against the virus”.
The report also offers advice both on how and when hands should be washed.
Health officials urging regular hand washing to stop spread of winter viruses »
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