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The importance of Handiwash
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- Handwashing is one of the "most important means of preventing the spread of infection;" it is the first line of defence for infectious diseases, including respiratory infections and gastrointestinal disorders, among others.
- By frequently washing your hands, you wash away germs that are picked up from other people, from contaminated surfaces, or from animals and animal waste.
- Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death and disease.
- Prevents many food-related illness outbreaks. Hands can transfer germs from contaminated raw meat, eggs and poultry to other foods, or from an infected person to the food.
- While many people are aware that you can get sick from eating food contaminated by E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria, it is not as well known that other ways of transmission, such as touching surfaces contaminated with this strain of E. coli, also can cause illness.
- You carry millions of bacteria on your hands. Most are harmless, but you can pick up some that cause illnesses, such as colds, flu, and diarrhea.
- Prevents the spreading of germs to other people, or to yourselves by touching your eyes, mouths, noses or cuts on your bodies.
- We can also pick up germs from objects, such as doorknobs and stair railings, touched by other people who aren't good handwashers. Think about all the things you touch each day and how many people may have touched them before you.
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