Hand Washing for a Healthier You
If you had to guess how many types of bacteria are on your skin right now, what would you say? A couple? Less than 100? If those are your guesses, we are sorry to tell you, you are wrong.
A study found a 1,000 species of bacteria living on a healthy epidermis. To make matters more frightening, they live in large numbers. Some estimate some 1,500 bacteria live in a square centimeter (0.155 inches) of skin on your hand.
Now, we should mention that not all bacteria found in our bodies are harmful to us. Some are quite beneficial and even necessary. However, the bad ones can do severe damage to our immune system and overall health.
Germs are Everywhere
It’s impossible to avoid those harmful microorganisms altogether; they live everywhere.
Every time you grab your cell phone, open a door, go to the restroom, ride public transportation, sneeze, or cough, or are near someone who does, you encounter germs.
Handling food especially raw meats can also expose us to disease-causing microorganisms. In fact, bacteria, viruses, and parasites are among the most common causes of foodborne diseases and food poisoning.
These pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause illnesses that range from mild to severe.
Hand Washing Can Help Prevent the Spread of Germs
Washing and thoroughly drying your hands is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of disease.
When you wash your hands with soap and water, you remove the dirt and germs that cause illnesses, and thus you stop the spread and help keep your environment clean.
Information provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC:
- Properly washing your hands can reduce your risk of getting sick with diarrhea by up to 40%
- It can also reduce the number of diarrheal disease-related deaths by up to 50%
- Studies suggest that regular hand washes can help prevent one million deaths a year
- It also reduces the risk of respiratory infections and respiratory illness by 20%
- School absenteeism due to bacteria-related gastrointestinal diseases can be reduced by as much as 57% by merely having children properly wash their hands more often
When and How to Wash Your Hands
The CDC recommends you wash your hands at these times:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before and after eating
- Before you tend a cut or wound and after you’ve done so
- After going to the bathroom
- After changing a baby’s diaper
- After helping a child use the bathroom
- After sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing
- After touching an animal, its food, or waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
Proper Hand Washing Techniques
To ensure you are washing your hands correctly, follow these steps:
- Wet your hands with clean water
- Lather with plenty of soap. Lather Up the back of your hands, in between your fingers, and under your nails
- Scrub at least 20 seconds. If you don’t like counting, try humming the tune of Happy Birthday from start to finish
- Rinse off the soap with plenty of clean running water
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or an air dryer
At Prestige ER, we take hand sanitation seriously because we know how dangerous bacteria-related illnesses can be.
In honor of National Hand Washing Awareness Week, we want to help our community understand the importance of having clean hands. We encourage you to please follow the guidelines of the CDC to help stop the spread of illness.
HealthCare.gov recommends that in case of an emergency, you head straight to the closest ER.
You DO NOT need to get prior approval from your health insurance company.
They will cover expenses barring whatever your deductible and coinsurance/copayments are for emergency treatments.
Prestige ER is open and ready to care for you during an emergency in which your health is significantly jeopardized 24/7, we work with all major insurance companies and our Patient Advocate team is available to help you understand your coverage and rights. We will guide and fight for you every step of the way.
They will cover expenses barring whatever your deductible and coinsurance/copayments are for emergency treatments.
Prestige ER is open and ready to care for you during an emergency in which your health is significantly jeopardized 24/7, we work with all major insurance companies and our Patient Advocate team is available to help you understand your coverage and rights. We will guide and fight for you every step of the way. For more information regarding your rights as a patient, view our Insurance Information.
Know Where to Go in the Event of an Emergency
Prestige ER is Your #1 Choice During an Emergency.
#WeStayOPEN 24/7, through weekends & all holidays!
Prestige ER is honored to serve the residents and those passing through Plano and surrounding cities like Frisco and Allen.
Part of caring for your health is to know where to go in case of an emergency. Please keep in mind that Prestige ER is Open 24/7 every day of the year, if you need us, we are here for you.
We are available 24/7 because an accident can happen at any time. Do not risk your health! Get help from the ER experts when you need it, visit us immediately on .
#1 Medical Emergency Care in Plano, Near Frisco and Allen
Find the ER Specialists at prestigeer.org, We provide the Best 24 HR. Emergency Medical Services in Plano. Don’t Wait in Line for ER Care! Don’t forget that WE STAY OPEN 24/7.
Get back on track to enjoying life, FAST! Experienced, Effective and Caring Emergency Physicians team up with the best On-Site ER care for everything from Minor to Major Injuries and Conditions.
- CT Scan, Digital X-Ray & Ultrasound
- Certified Full-Service Diagnostic Laboratory
- Specialized Pediatrics ER Care Facilities
- Extended Stay Capacity
Email: info@prestigeer.org Phone: (972) 527-3000
