The Importance of Hand Hygiene
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Contact UsUpto 80% of all infectious diseases spread through hand-to-hand contact. This means that hand washing is the simplest and most effective way to prevent the spread of contagious infections and disease. While common illnesses such as flu, viral fever, cough and colds are easily preventable by taking this simple precaution, most people are unaware that washing your hands properly and effectively can help ward against much more serious and even potentially fatal diseases and germs. Hand-washing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections such as influenza, strep throat, rhino-viruses, whooping cough by 16%. Further, studies estimate that the simple act of washing one’s hands with soap and water could potentially reduce diarrhoeal disease-related deaths to half it’s current total. Despite this children, particularly in developing and less developed countries, are not taught the correct methods of maintaining hand hygiene and easily preventable diseases continue to spread at a rapid rate.
Studies estimate that approximately 95% adults don’t wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom. This is particularly hazardous as faecal matter from people or animals is home to an astonishing number of germs. A single gram of human faeces can contain upto one trillion germs. Improper or lack of hand washing in this situation results in transmissions of harmful microbes and bacteria through the “faecal-oral” route. Illnesses commonly spread through this route include Cholera, dysentery, typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Poliovirus, Rotavirus and Tapeworm among several others. Improper hand washing practices after using the bathroom is unfortunately extremely common and can lead to the spreading of such germs and diseases in various places of interaction from the workplace to school or college environments.
Learning how to wash your hands the correct way is extremely simple and takes only a few minutes to complete thoroughly. The commonly approved method advised by doctors and health organisations comprises of 5 basic steps.
- Wet- The first step is to wet your hands, making sure they’re completely doused in clean running water.
- Lather- Apply the soap and rub your hands together to create lather. Make sure to lather in between, under your nails and over the back of your hands.
- Scrub- Continue to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. This is an important part of the process that most people tend to bypass.
- Rinse- Rinse the soap off your hands once again under clean running water. Clean all the soap from under your nails or between your fingers.
- Dry- Dry your hands well using a clean towel, handkerchief or allow them to dry with exposure to the air.
While the method given above is undoubtedly the most effective and therefore the ideal way to maintain hand hygiene, unfortunately in many situations and many parts of the world access to clean running water may be limited. In these circumstances using an alcohol-based hand sanitizes that contains at least 60% alcohol is the next best alternative.
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Nerve injuries happen when a nerve is pinched, stretched, cut or damaged. These injuries can cause numbness, tingling, or sharp pain.
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20 Sept 20262 Min Read
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Read NowDislocated Hip: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
26 Aug 20265 Min Read
A dislocated hip is a severe injury that occurs when the head of the thigh bone (femur) is forced out of the hip socket (acetabulum). This traumatic event can be incredibly painful and immediately incapacitating, requiring urgent medical attention. This blog explores the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hip dislocation with expert insights from specialists at Manipal Hospitals, a top orthopaedic hospital in Vijayawada, offering comprehensive hip dislocation treatment in Vijayawada to help patients achieve the best possible recovery. Understanding the signs, causes, and available treatment options is crucial for anyone who has experienced or knows someone who has experienced this injury. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term complications and ensuring a successful recovery.
Read NowFluttering in Chest: Causes, Symptoms & When to See a Doctor
26 Jun 20266 Min Read
A sudden, strange tapping, flipping or thumping inside your chest can be highly unsettling. This feeling can match the sensation of a brief skipped beat or a sudden twitch. This sensation is commonly known as a fluttering chest. While a fluttering feeling in the chest can be alarming and cause your anxiety to spike, it is actually a very common experience. In many cases, it is harmless. However, in some cases, it points to an underlying medical issue that needs attention.
Read Now10 Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Gut You Must Not Ignore
26 Jun 20266 Min Read
Your gut does much more than digest food. It plays a key role in your energy levels, immune system, mood, and overall well-being. When your gut is healthy, your body works smoothly. But when something is wrong, your body often sends warning signals. Unfortunately, many people ignore these signs or assume they are caused by stress, lack of sleep, or a busy lifestyle. Recognising the early signs of poor gut health can help you make changes before the problem becomes worse. Here are 10 signs of an unhealthy gut that you should never ignore.
Read NowWhat Creatinine Level Indicates Kidney Failure? Doctors Explain
22 Jun 20266 Min Read
Creatinine is a waste product produced by your muscles every day. Healthy kidneys remove it from the blood and pass it out through urine. When the kidneys are not working properly, creatinine can build up in the bloodstream. Seeing a high creatinine level in your blood test report can be working. Many people immediately think it's kidney failure. However, creatinine levels alone do not tell the whole story. Doctors look at several factors, including your age, overall health, and kidney function tests, before determining how well your kidneys are working.
Read NowStomach Cancer Lump: What It Feels Like & When to See a Doctor
22 Jun 20267 Min Read
Finding an unusual bump or swelling on your body can be alarming. If you notice a change in your tummy, it is completely natural to feel a wave of anxiety and wonder what it might mean. One thought that might cross your mind is whether it could be a stomach cancer lump. Feeling concerned is completely valid, but it helps to know that most abdominal changes may have very simple explanations. Understanding what to look for can help quiet some of that worry.
Read NowUnderstanding CT scan and its role in cancer detection.
15 Jun 20268 Min Read
When doctors suspect a serious health condition, imaging tests often play a crucial role in diagnosis. One of the most used imaging tools is a computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the body`s organs, tissues, and blood vessels. These images can reveal abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cancer. However, understanding what a CT scan can and cannot do is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. However, can a CT scan detect cancer? A CT scan is extremely important in detecting cancer, but it is not always definitive on its own
Read NowTypes of Nerve Injury: Causes, Symptoms & Recovery Guide
15 Jun 20266 Min Read
Nerve injuries happen when a nerve is pinched, stretched, cut or damaged. These injuries can cause numbness, tingling, or sharp pain. Nerves are cords that carry electrical signals from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of your body and vice versa. These signals allow you to move your muscles and feel sensations like touch and temperature. When a nerve is damaged, these signals are disrupted.
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