"With

over 80 percent of infectious disease being spread by human contact, it's

amazing how little care most of us take when washing our hands,"

said Dr. Philip M. Tierno Jr., author of "The Secret Life of Germs"

(Pocket Books, Nov. 2001). "When researchers put cameras in public

restrooms to track people's behavior, the numbers of those who don't wash

their hands properly, or don't wash them at all, is staggering, often

over ninety percent."

Dr. Tierno

recommends the following regimen:

*Effective

hand washing requires both soap and water. Merely rinsing the hands with

water alone is next to useless.

*Wet your hands

thoroughly and lather them with soap

*Rub the soapy

water all over the hands and fingers for at least 20-30 seconds

*Don't forget

to wash under fingernails

*Rinse and

repeat

As for frequency,

you should wash your hands several times a day, before eating, after using

a bathroom facility and after coughing or sneezing on them. After shaking

hands with someone, you should avoid touching your face or mouth until

an opportunity presents itself to wash up. It also makes sense to wash

whenever coming in from outside. In public bathrooms, you should wash

your hands before using the toilet if you have had to touch a doorknob

or other surface on the way in. When you wash your hands afterward, use

a paper towel or tissue to shut off the faucet and open the door.

For an added

layer of protection, use an anti-bacterial soap containing a germicide

such as Triclosan. "It seems to me that germicides can be a valuable

support to good health, especially for groups who are at extra risk when

it comes to infectious diseases," said Dr. Tierno. "Children,

pregnant women, the elderly and those with depressed immune systems are

particularly vulnerable. While germicides are no substitute for conscientious

hygiene, they fight bacteria, have no side effects and have not

been shown to contribute to increased bacterial resistance."

Even if you

don't fall into one of the higher risk groups, you owe it to others to

be more conscious of hand washing to avoid transmitting germs. Also, habits

are best formed early on. If there are any children in your home, take

the time to set a good example and teach them how to wash their hands

properly.

For more information

on hand washing, visit www.cleaning101.com/health/health/.

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