It is very common to see diarrhea and other digestive disturbances in toddlers as they always lick their hands. This results in easy transmission of pathogens like bacteria into their stomach and hence causes health disorders. Most of them are not very dangerous, but if neglected it may become life threatening. A great number of these disorders can be eliminated by a simple practice of hand washing.

As we do all the work such as holding things by our hands, they lodge a great number of pathogens. That's why, if you are frequently rubbing your hands over the mouth or inserting your fingers into mouth in an attempt to get rid of food material that is stuck in between the teeth, then you are providing an easy entry for the pathogens into your body.

Even if you wash your hands very frequently with anti-bacterial solutions, you can still be a victim of anti-biotic resistant strains of staphylococcus. However, the incidence of health problems will be very less compared to not washing your hands.

By washing your hands before preparing food, you are not only protecting yourself from risks of food poisoning but also others who consume the food that you prepared.

If you shake your hands with a person who has rhinitis or has an eye infection such as conjunctivitis which spread very easily, remember to wash your hands immediately.

The various bacterial strains that can be avoided by regular washing of hands include salmonella, rhino virus, hepatitis A, E. coli, Rota virus and echo virus.

It is a must at hospitals to wash hands. For example, the doctor might have treated a patient suffering from vaginitis, an infectious disease. If the same doctor treats a woman in labor without washing hands, then there is a great chance that the women will get infected. It is a rule in hospitals for all the doctors to wash their hands in chlorinated water before treating a patient.

Individuals who take care of children should wash their hands. Children below the age of three years have a very weak immune system and are easily prone to respiratory and gastrointestinal disturbances. Frequent exposure to germs aggravates the symptoms. If the disease occurs in one child it will spread to others very easily hence, great care has to be taken.

Even if you are an adolescent, it is recommended to wash your hands before having food and especially, after a trip to the play ground. If you play in the ground your hands get exposed to a great number of germs. Hence, it is essential to wash hands after returning from playground to prevent infections.

Last note: It is essential to cultivate good hand washing techniques right from childhood to prevent the attack of a great number of bacterial infections. Make it a rule for them to wash hands before having food, after returning from play ground, after sneezing and returning from toilet. You can even use mild alcoholic agents for cleaning purpose. These rules have to be enforced at schools too to safeguard the health of children.

Jonathan Pitts

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