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Handwashing can be an effective strategy in maintaining day-to-day good health. I know, I know, it does seem silly to write an article about something we�ve been told to do since we were born. Nowadays, when we use bathrooms in businesses, we see signs reminding employees to wash their hands. Some even point out that handwashing is not optional. Why? Doesn�t everyone always wash their hands after using the restroom? Do you always do it, even at home? Here is the hard fact: Not everyone washes their hands when they should all the time. Lately, I�ve been impressed to wash my hands more. Not just when someone else is present, but also when there�s no one else around. Not just after using the bathroom, but other times as well. For instance, it is a good idea to always wash your hands before touching food that either you or someone else is going to eat. If you�re sick, out of regard for others, you want to disinfect your hands after sneezing or coughing into them, after blowing or picking your nose (hee hee), or touching your eyeball, or any other place on your body where there is contact with bodily fluids. Most people realize that viruses and bacteria can be transmitted from person to person through the air when someone sneezes or coughs, but we often forget that some disease-causing organisms live outside the body for a long. long time on fomites, that is inanimate objects. Doorknobs, telephone receivers, sink taps, remote controls and computer keyboards are common fomites. So are toys, silverware, cups and glasses, sheets, and anything you touch or hold with hands that may be contaminated. When you or someone else in your household or office is sick, everyone should wash their hands more often, throughout the day, and not just before touching food or eating. This is especially important if there are people present who tend to have weaker resistance to sickness, such as babies, young children, immuno-deficient persons (which can include people with very poor diets!), or the elderly. Even if you keep your distance from someone who is ill, if you touch fomites and then finger your own mouth, nose or eyes, you will be exposed to the organisms. After the illness has passed, it isn�t a bad idea to wash nightclothes, change bedding, and clean and disinfect common fomites to reduce your chances of getting sick. Use a non-toxic, biodegradable solution if possible, and keep some effective lotion on hand to keep your hands moisturized in spite of the frequent washings. Tea tree oil has natural anitibacterial properties (hmmm, wonder how it does with viruses?), and many cleaning and personal products feature it. But remember, the best defenses against sickness and disease are unwavering faith in God's Word and a tip-top immune system, so develop spiritually, eat clean, avoid environmental toxins, exercise, and "live right!"
 
© 1997-2002 NATURAL CHRISTIAN
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