May 9--Whether it's thwarting a food-borne illness, halting the spread of cold germs or preventing a bout of the flu, good hand washing can help.

The importance of hand washing has been highlighted in recent weeks as swine flu has dominated the news. In every article about ways to avoid catching the flu, hand washing has been mentioned as one of the key ways to help.

"We always say these are the 10 most common reasons for communicable diseases," said Debbie Swanson, Grand Forks County Health Department nursing and nutrition supervisor, as she waved her fingers in the air. "That's the chain we're trying to break with hand washing."

The reason that hand washing is so important is that during the day people gather germs on their hands and fingers from touching a variety of surfaces including food, other people and animals -- and their waste.

Though hand washing is a simple, common sense, easy way to help prevent the spread of diseases, it often is overlooked, say health professionals. Many people don't practice the habit as often as they should, even after using the toilet, according to the Mayo Clinic's Web site.

When to wash:

According to the Web site people should wash their hands:

--After using the toilet.

--After changing a diaper -- and the diaper wearers' hands should also be washed.

--After touching animals and/or their waste.

--Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish.

--Before eating.

--After blowing your nose.

--After coughing or sneezing into your hand.

--Before or after treating wounds or cuts or touching a sick or injured person.

--After handling garbage.

--Before inserting or removing contact lenses.

--When using pubic restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations or restaurants.

More tips

When it comes to washing hands it's important to do it the right way and use the right products, Swanson said.

"It takes an effective agent like soap and sanitizers," Swanson said. The sanitizers should be a minimum of 60 percent alcohol, according to the Mayo Clinic Web site. While the sanitizers are more effective than soap at killing diseases and bacteria that can carry diseases, soaps, if available, should be used if your hands are visibly dirty, the Web site noted.

Washing your hands well requires wetting them with warm, running water, applying liquid soap or clean bar soap and rubbing them vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds. That's the length of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" or the "ABC" songs twice or to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," once.

Singing those songs while washing is especially useful for children because they tend otherwise to rush through the process, Swanson said.

During washing, people should pay attention to the backs of their wrists, their cuticles, cuts and the "webs" of their fingers because those are areas germs can collect, Swanson noted. Once their hands are clean, people should point their hands downward, toward the sink and rinse so that the dirty water flows off of them. After the hands are rinsed, they should be dried with a clean or disposable towel. The Mayo Clinic Web site recommends using a towel to turn off the faucet.

Although the importance of good hand washing has been highlighted because of the recent concerns about the swine flu, being vigilant about it is always is important to maintaining good health.

"No matter what time of the year, what season it is... It's good advice all of the time," Swanson said.

To find more information about hand washing, check out the Mayo Clinic Web site at: www.mayoclinic.com and type hand washing into the search engine. A hand washing site with games for children can be found at www: scrubclub.org

Bailey writes for special features sections. Reach her at (701) 787-6753; (800) 477-6572, ext. 753; or send e-mail to abailey@gfherald.com.

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