Infection Control Handwashing and Hand Hygiene. Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives Microbes are all tiny living organisms that may or may not cause disease.

Infection ControlHandwashing and Hand Hygiene

Handwashing: Clean Hands Save

LivesMicrobes are all tiny living organisms that may or may not cause disease.

Germs, or pathogens, are types of microbes that can cause disease.

Microbes and germs are also known as, pathogens.

* Pathogens are disease-producing organisms.

Where are these pathogens found?

EVERYWHEREOur hands are a perfect

medium for the spread of pathogens.

How do germs get onto peoples

hands?Germs get onto our hands and make people sick primarily via feces (poop).

* After using the toilet

* Changing a diaper

* Handling raw meat with invisible amounts of animal

poop on them.

Washing hands prevents illnesses and the spread of

infections to others

Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands.

Prevents infections:

People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and

mouth without even realizing it.

Germs from unwashed hands get into foods and

drinks during preparation.

Objects: handrails, table tops, door knobs,

toys…

WHEN should we wash our hands?Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating food

Before and after caring for someone who is sick

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After using the toilet

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

WHEN should we wash our hands?After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

After handling pet food or

pet treats

After touching garbage

HOW should we wash our hands?WET your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

LATHER your hands by rubbing them together with soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

WHY LATHER? Lathering and scrubbing hands creates friction, which helps lift dirt, grease, and microbes from skin. Microbes are present on all surfaces of the hand, in particularly under the nails, so the entire hand shoud be scrubbed.

HOW should we wash our hands?SCRUB your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.

RINSE hands well under clean, running water.

DRY hands using a clean towel or a hand dryer them.

Handwashing: Clean Hands Save

Lives

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important things we can do to stop the spread of

germs and stay healthy.

www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Road

Atlanta, GA 30333

(800) 232-4636