When should you wash your hands?
Handwashing at any time of the day can help get rid of germs, but there are key times when it’s most important to wash your 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 bathroom, changing diapers, or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages, or animal feces (poop).
- After touching garbage.
- If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Germs are everywhere! They can get onto your hands and items you touch throughout the day. Washing hands at key times with soap and water is one of the most important steps you can take to get rid of germs and avoid spreading germs to those around you.
How can washing your hands keep you healthy?
Germs can get into the body through our eyes, nose, and mouth and make us sick. Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands and helps prevent sickness. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
Handwashing helps prevent infections for these reasons:
People often touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without realizing it, introducing germs into their bodies.
Germs from unwashed hands may get into foods and drinks when people prepare or consume them. Germs can grow in some types of foods or drinks and make people sick.
Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, such as door knobs, tables, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands.
What is the right way to wash your hands?
Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
Scrub all surfaces of your hands, including the palms, backs, fingers, between your fingers, and under your nails. Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
What type of soap should you use?
You can use bar soap or liquid soap to wash your hands. Many public places provide liquid soap because it’s easier and cleaner to share with others, Studies have not found any added health benefit from using soaps containing antibacterial ingredients when compared with plain soap. Both are equally effective in getting rid of germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
How does handwashing help fight antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria resist the effects of an antibiotic-that is, germs are not killed and they continue to grow. Sicknesses caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be harder to treat. Simply using antibiotics creates resistance, so avoiding infections in the first place reduces the amount of antibiotics that have to be used and reduces the likelihood that resistance will develop during treatment Handwashing helps prevent many sicknesses, meaning less use of antibiotics.
©2020 Human Biosciences, Inc. The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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Ridley Vann
Mr. Vann oversees E-Commerce, Inventory, and Facilities, ensuring optimal product and supply management across medical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic lines.
With a dedication to accuracy and reliability, he brings a wealth of experience as an innovative project coordinator adept at managing diverse initiatives and streamlining processes.
He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Science and Technology from the University of Maryland and started his career at the Smithsonian Institution, spearheading green initiatives for the annual Folklife Festival with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Nisha Jain Vann
Creative Director, Human BioSciences
Mrs. Vann is responsible for branding, design, and public outreach efforts for the company.
Mrs. Vann has over five years of experience in the creative design arena. She has spearheaded multiple marketing campaigns, both domestic and international.
She also has experience producing several television and live-stage programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Video Studies from George Mason University.
Jack Slovick
Mr. Slovick is responsible for all regulatory and quality affairs in the company.
Mr. Slovick has worked in regulatory, quality, and clinical services within the medical device and diagnostics industry for nearly 40 years.
He founded Methodize Inc., to offer strategic support for approval of medical devices and in vitro diagnostics products. Mr. Slovick has a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems.
Jigar Patel
Vice President of Operations, Human BioSciences
Mr. Patel is the Vice President of Operations for Human BioSciences. As such, he is responsible for strategy development for optimal growth, organizing multiple teams and implementing optimal product delivery for the growth of HBS.
He has served multiple positions within HBS since 2001, including Operations Manager.
With an MBA in Pharmaceutical Healthcare and a Bachelor’s in Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Patel brings deep technical knowledge in collagen product production with a rich history in managing teams.
David H. Dickieson
General Counsel
Mr. Dickieson, as General Counsel, is involved with Human Biosciences’ efforts to expand internationally while aiding with growth and legal compliance in the U.S.
He has over 40 years of experience as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and with Washington, D.C. law firms. His law degree is from the University of Michigan and he received a Bachelors Degree in Government from Cornell.
Dr. Rohan K Jain
President, Human BioSciences
As the President of Human BioSciences, Dr. Rohan K Jain is responsible for the company’s overall operations, with a focus on research and development.
Dr. Jain has supervised and conducted extensive research in the collagen, biomaterials, and protein space, resulting in the release of numerous new products to the market.
Prior to his role at HBS, Dr. Jain was a capital markets attorney at Shearman & Sterling LLP. He received his Doctorate in Law and his MBA from New York University; his Bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and his Master’s in Engineering Management from Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the New York and Maryland bars.