Global Handwashing Day 2022: How Handwashing Prevents Diseases?
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it would be the importance of basic hygiene practices. Not all surfaces we touch are clean. You never know what germs, bacteria or viruses can enter your body. This Global Handwashing Day, let’s increase awareness and understand the importance of handwashing.
Global Handwashing Day – History & significanceFounded by the Global Handwashing Partnership, Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on the 15th of October every year. In 2008, over 120 million children across 70 countries washed their hands with soap to commemorate the first–ever Global Handwashing Day. The initiative aims to implement creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap. National leaders can take this opportunity to demonstrate the simplicity of handwashing by building sinks and tippy taps. The theme for Global Handwashing Day 2022 is ‘Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene’.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Handwashing Lightly?Disease–causing bacteria and viruses are present all around us. Here’s how these germs can spread:
- By touching your mouth or nose with unclean hands
- By touching things or people without cleaning your hands after sneezing or coughing
- By eating food without washing your hands
- By touching contaminated surfaces unknowingly
Washing your hands with water alone is not enough. The soap’s molecular structure traps dirt and germs in tiny bubbles known as micelles. These get washed away with water. Hence, handwashing with both soap and water is crucial to prevent diseases from spreading.
Ways to Maintain Hygiene?While handwashing is the best line of defence, you should also practice essential hygiene habits to minimise the risk of contracting diseases. These include:
Bathing regularly: The human body sheds skin constantly. The build-up of dead skin is a breeding ground for bacteria that can make their way into the body through the mouth or nose. Ensure you regularly clean your body and hair with soap and water.
Trimming nails: Dirt can build up between fingernails. Even with thorough handwashing, getting rid of infected nail beds can be difficult. It helps to trim your finger and toenails frequently. Remember to lather soap under your nails while washing your hands.
Covering your mouth while sneezing or coughing: Covering your cough or sneeze is an effective way to stop the spread of germs. You could unintentionally spread germs by expelling microscopic water droplets. The right way to sneeze or cough is into a handkerchief. Ensure you wash your hands right away. It also helps to carry hand sanitiser in your bag.
Handwashing can reduce the risk of contracting diseases through physical contact. Unfortunately, you may also be at risk of air–borne or water–borne diseases. However, health insurance helps cover the expenses of treating such illnesses and numerous other conditions. A health insurance plan is simply a contract between you and your insurance company, wherein the insurer promises to cover your medical costs up to a predetermined sum insured. Insurance provides you peace of mind and allows you to concentrate on getting the best treatment.
This Global Handwashing Day, ensure you secure your health financially with health insurance.
Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.