The Most Important Health Habit to Prevent Illness

Manufacturers have already begun shipping flu vaccines for the 2013-2014 U.S. season. Between 135 and 139 million doses of vaccine are being produced.  Getting a flu shot is an individual decision that should be made with the help of your health care provider.  However, the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) has determined the single most important health habit any individual can develop to prevent colds or flu is washing their hands.  Watch the CDC’s must see video on preventing the spread of disease and illness.

Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food or eating
• Treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick or injured person
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the toilet or changing a diaper
• Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes, or waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds or caring for a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage, household or garden chemicals, or anything that could be contaminated — such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

In addition, wash your hands whenever they look dirty.

Proper hand washing: 

1. Use Soap and Water
2. Scrub for 20 seconds (about 2 rounds of humming “Happy Birthday” to yourself)
3. Scrub in between the fingers and nails
4. Last thing to touch hands before meals is soap, water and paper towel. (no door knobs, chairs or menu)