Hand hygiene is a critical factor in protecting students and workers from the devastating flu season that swept across the United States in 2017-2018.
Hand Hygiene to Prevent the Spread of the Flu Virus
The 2017-2018 flu season was one of the worst on record--reportedly responsible for thousands of deaths.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began counting the 2017–2018 "flu season" as October 2017, and by early February 2018, the epidemic was still widespread and increasing overall.
By February 2018, the CDC said that the circulating virus strains included both B strains (Yamagata and Victoria), H1N1 and H3N2.
On February 10, 2018, Fortune reported that influenza in the United States was killing up to 4,000 Americans a week, likely to far outstrip the rate of deaths in the 2009–2010 season
In the first week of February, deaths from influenza and pneumonia were responsible for one of every ten deaths in the US.
According to the CDC, the single best method to avoid getting the flu is through vaccination.
However, the best way to prevent the spread of the influenza virus is implementing good health practices, like covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands regularly.
The critical factor is getting everyone to participate.
How to get People to Wash Their Hands
Statistically, even if you do wash your hands regularly, you're probably not doing it correctly.
Recent studies have estimated that approximately 80% of germs, including the flu, are spread through touch--you come into contact with the virus and then rub your face or eyes or eat without washing your hands first.
While, in the offseason, this behavior is mostly benign and isn't likely to lead to enough germ or bacteria ingestion to make you sick, during the flu season, it could get you killed.
Two of the primary reasons why appears to be:
- People don't really understand how the flu is passed, and;
- People don't understand the importance of regular handwashing, let alone how to do it.
Explaining how the flu is Spread
Most people in the U.S. mistakenly believe that the flu is primarily spread via obvious physical signs--coming into contact with phlegm, mucus, or spittle expelled from a sick person.
While you can acquire the flu virus in that manner, you're far more likely to acquire it from a high contact surface and spread it to yourself by rubbing your hands on your face, eyes, or nose, or eating before washing your hands.
Additionally, the surfaces the virus is acquired from were more than likely contaminated by someone's hands, as opposed to a sick person coughing or sneezing nearby.
Numerous studies have shown that the two primary common denominators in the spread of flu are dirty hands and contaminated surfaces.
So, outside of self-cleaning surfaces or constantly disinfecting every surface after it's touched, how do we proactively protect ourselves?
Wash your hands well and regularly.
But, how do we get everyone on board with that plan?
Engagement Tips
Studies have shown that people respond more positively to information when it is presented in a manner that is relevant to them.
For example, young children probably don't understand the deadly consequences of poor hand hygiene, but they do respond well to:
- Glitter on the hands as a representation of germs and an activity that involves hand washing and a discussion about how the flu is spread, as well as other basic but critical health tips, and;
- Singing a song, such as the ABC's, while washing their hands to make sure they scrub long enough to have a positive impact on germ reduction.
Conversely, adults may respond better to a presentation of the material alongside:
- Pandemic death tolls.
- Understanding that there is no cure once you're infected, and;
- The financial burden of an extended illness, especially involving young children or the elderly.
How to Wash Your Hands
- Start by rinsing your hands, downward toward the sink with warm water.
- Lather your hands with soap, preferably liquid foaming soap.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds, but preferably 40 seconds or more, making sure to scrub between the fingers and under the nails, as well as the back of the hands (one of the most commonly missed locations).
- Rinse your hands with warm water, downward and into the sink.
- Dry your hands with a clean cloth or paper towel until they are completely dry. Germs are more easily spread via wet hands.
- Apply hand sanitizer liberally, allowing it to air dry.
References & Resources
- Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs
- Hand hygiene and risk of influenza virus infections in the community: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Fighting the flu with soap and water. Hand washing as an infection control recommendation to the population--7 hypotheses from a qualitative study about hygiene, flu and pandemic
- Better Hand Washing as First Line of Defense Against the Flu
- Does Hand Hygiene Reduce Influenza Transmission?
Takeaway
Combining high-performance green cleaning with engaged personal health and hygiene practices can have a marked effect on the reduction of germ transmission, as well as the devastating impact the flu virus has on our society.
Remember to frame education in context and make sure it's relevant to your audience, but always underscore the best practice--if you're sick, stay home.
If you would like to find out more about the advantages of hand hygiene programs for classrooms and offices, or if you would like more information about what kind of soap and soap dispensers are perfect for your organization--contact us today for a free quote!
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In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
