Our hands can harbour millions of germs, most of which are harmless. However, practising good hand hygiene can prevent some pathogens from spreading. These germs can cause infections requiring antibiotics, and contribute to the creation of superbugs.
Adopting strict hand hygiene standards is fundamental to prevent infections and antibiotic resistance.
The rate of infections can be reduced by 50% with proper hand hygiene.
Over the course of a day, your hands touch a lot of things that may have been contaminated by viruses or bacteria. When you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands, you risk contracting an infection such as the flu, a cold or gastroenteritis.
Washing your hands is an excellent way to avoid contaminating yourself and others.
It is particularly important to wash your hands in the following instances:
- When your hands are visibly dirty
- Before and after handling food
- Before eating
- Before taking medication
- Before wearing or removing your Dailies contact lenses
- After coughing or sneezing
- After blowing your nose, or that of a child
- After using the toilet
- After changing a child’s diaper
- After handling garbage
- After touching pets or their toys
- After being in a public place
