Does Washing Hands Prevent Illness?
Yes, handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. It reduces respiratory infections by 16-21% and diarrheal diseases by 31-47%. The key is proper technique: wash with soap for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces including between fingers and under nails. Plain soap works as well as antibacterial soap.
Key Takeaways
- Hands are a primary transmission route for pathogens.
- Antibacterial soap offers no additional benefit over regular soap for most purposes.
- Very hot water is not necessary - comfortable temperature works fine.
Explanation
Hands are a primary transmission route for pathogens. You touch your face about 16 times per hour on average, transferring germs to your eyes, nose, and mouth. Handwashing physically removes viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens before they can enter your body.
Proper technique matters more than soap type. Wet hands, apply soap, and scrub vigorously for 20 seconds (sing 'Happy Birthday' twice). Clean palms, backs, between fingers, under nails, and wrists. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel. Hand sanitizer (60%+ alcohol) works when soap is unavailable but does not remove all germ types.
Critical times to wash: before eating or preparing food, after using the bathroom, after coughing/sneezing/blowing nose, after touching public surfaces, and after contact with sick individuals. During outbreaks, increased handwashing significantly reduces community disease transmission.
Things to Know
- Antibacterial soap offers no additional benefit over regular soap for most purposes.
- Very hot water is not necessary - comfortable temperature works fine.
- Hand sanitizer does not work well on visibly dirty hands or against certain pathogens like norovirus.