Taking Extra Precautions Against The Swine Flu

An average person can carry 10,000 to 10 million bacteria on one hand. The skin carries hosts of bacteria. Fecal microorganisms are also present in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. This is why hand washing is so important, to reduce the chances of spreading germs to ourselves and others.

Handwashing Guidelines
There are several misconceptions pertaining to the use of hand sanitizers.
Food workers and the general public should ALWAYS use plain hand soap BEFORE using hand sanitizers. Remember, always wash your hands with plain soap and water before and after handling food. Always wash your hands after using the toilet, with hand soap or an antiseptic solution.

In a food service setting, fecal bacteria and enteric viruses, such as Norovirus, are more of a concern. Food workers often have wet hands and hands contaminated with food high in proteins and/or fatty materials. Food proteins and fatty materials can significantly reduce the effectiveness of an alcohol gel. Therefore, soap, friction, and running water still remain the most effective way to remove the types of pathogens food workers might encounter.

Those in the healthcare profession and related fields should take the extra precaution of using an alcohol gel or antibacterial soap only in situations such as:

THREE HIGH RISK GROUPS –
1. Newborns, the elderly, and immunosuppressed are at high risk for infection. Persons coming in close physical contact with these persons are at high risk also.
2. Patients that have upper respiratory infection, skin infection or diarrhea, are at risk. Persons coming in close contact with such patients are at risk.
3. Workers where diseases are commonly transmitted are at risk. Such as: food preparation, and/or crowded living areas (child-care centers, preschools, prisons, or chronic-care residences).

Hand Sanitizers Used as Follow-up to Traditional Hand Washing
Research has shown that hand sanitizers can be as effective as hand washing only in certain situations. Therefore, it is important to first wash your hands with soap and water, before using hand sanitizers.

The majority of sanitizers in the U.S. contain ethanol or isopropanol, and contain moisturizers. Alcohol solutions containing 60-95% alcohol are the most effective, while higher concentrations are less potent.

To be most effective, a dime-size dollop of alcohol gel should be rubbed into the hands for 30 seconds. If hands are dry after only 10-15 seconds, it is likely that not enough sanitizer was used.

Hand sanitizers should be used only as an optional follow-up to traditional hand washing with soap and water, except in situations where soap and water are not available. In those instances, use of an alcohol gel is certainly better than nothing at all.
Source: University of Florida

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