Like Mom Said, “Wash Those Hands!”

Hello again!

Feel that chilly air?  Its flu season again!  You’ve probably already seen the ads recommending you get a flu shot.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone 6 months of age and older should get one.  Something else they say everyone should do is “wash their hands” often, especially before eating.  Experts say frequent hand-washing is one of the most powerful weapons we have against the spread of germs that cause the flu.  Sounds pretty basic, right?  Before you say yes, read on.  Despite the fact hand washing is something most of learned as kids; research suggests a whole bunch of people don’t do it.  One CDC survey showed just 77% of people (men and women) who used public restrooms washed their hands on the way out.

To demonstrate why hand washing is such a big deal, researchers in Australia coated the hands of 20 volunteers with significant amounts of live flu virus, about the same amount you’d get on your hand wiping a runny nose.  Yeah, I know it’s gross, but hang with me here.  After coating their hands, the volunteers were split into two groups.   One was told to wash their hands.  The other was not.   An hour later, the non-hand washing group still had copious amounts of live virus on their hands which could make them sick or spread the flu through any number of avenues for human-to-human contact.  Meanwhile, the hand washing group had no trace of live flu virus on their hands.  Some used hot soap and water, while others applied hand sanitizer. 

Still not convinced?  Well the next time you go to the doctor’s office take a look around.   It’s a good bet you’ll see a hand sanitizer dispenser for anyone to use.  Central Physical Therapy has one in the lobby as you go into the treatment area.  CPT owner Helen Balzli says, “People who need therapy have a steep enough hill to climb without worrying about getting sick because someone doesn’t wash their hands.  We want our patients to stay healthy so they can get the physical therapy they need to get moving again.” 

So this flu season, do yourself a favor.  Make a habit of washing your hands with hot, soapy water on a regular basis.  The CDC says don’t stop until you’ve rubbed your hands together for 20 seconds.  Who knows?  Good old fashioned hand washing and a vaccination may be the only things that keep you or those around you from getting sick with flu this year. 

Phil Rainier is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Central Physical Therapy.  His column is not intended as medical advice.  Phil’s e-mail address is [email protected].