Infection Control

To think of not washing the hands often throughout the day can lead to profound consequences. Indeed, inadequate handwashing in this era can result in sickness or death. Human hands encounter many objects and other people, all through the day. Commodities carry germs, and so do other people's hands. The hands can be visibly or invisibly dirty. Therefore, dashing through the day, handling money, shaking hands, visiting the restroom, handling door knobs, and various other items without taking the time to wash the hands, places self and other people at substantial risk for transmitted diseases.

Hands are host for germs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says, "About 1.8 million children under the age of five die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world" (CDC 2015). Handwashing and educating others about the critical need to wash their dirty hands can save many lives. We must take responsibility to discipline ourselves and others concerning this simple task. It could be our own life or someone else's (Center for Disease Control [2015], "Show Me the Science-Why Wash Your Hands." Retrieved on September 6, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html).