5 May - World Hand Hygiene Day

Annually 5 May, Belarus hosts World Hand Hygiene Day. This year, in connection with the unfavorable epidemiological situation on the kronavirus infection COVID-19, the topic of hand hygiene is the most relevant.

World Health Organization (VOZ) gives recommendations to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. Firstly, avoid contact with people, who have symptoms of acute respiratory infection. Secondly, hand washing rules must be followed, and if it is impossible to wash your hands with soap - use sanitizers with an antiseptic.

Primarily, wash your hands with soap before eating, after visiting the toilet, at any pollution, after contact with a sick person, before and after putting on a face mask, after visiting places of mass use (public transport, the shops, clinic, etc.).

Hand washing algorithm. Important! Hand processing is carried out during 30 seconds - 1 minutes:

– moisten your hands with water;

– use liquid or bar soap, to soap my hands;

– rub one palm on the other;

– rub the back of your palms and between your fingers;

– weaving fingers, rub your palm, then fold your hands in the lock and move them like that, to rub your fingers thoroughly;

– rub your thumbs properly;

– rub your fingertips on the other hand;

– rinse your hands, dry your hands with a disposable paper towel - close the tap with the same towel (avoid using hand dryers).

No matter what soap you use: solid lumpy or liquid, the main thing is to follow the rules of washing hands. but, remember: solid lump soap should be stored in a clean, dry soap dish, otherwise it itself will turn into a breeding ground for infection. If possible, use non-contact liquid soap dispensers. At the same time, the frequent use of antibacterial soap will only weaken the body's immune forces, and this will lead to an increase in diseases - use it after visiting places of mass stay of people, after contact with patients, and in everyday use it is better to opt for ordinary soap.

Hand antiseptic is a disinfectant for external use, which is used to observe basic hygiene rules in places, where there is no access to water and soap. It is available in the form of a liquid solution., gel and foam and may have a diverse composition, providing a certain level of efficiency. Most often, the active ingredient is alcohol., but there are other active ingredients.

Basic conditions, when a disinfectant helps prevent infection with COVID-19:

1. The presence in the composition of alcohol in high concentration. It is alcohol-containing solutions that have a stable virucidal effect.. But at the same time, the amount of alcohol in the total volume should reach 60% and more. Lower concentration antiseptics are considered useless.. That is why using vodka for disinfection is useless.

2. Adequate amount of product used and duration of a single treatment. It is not only the composition and concentration of the active substance that is very important., but also the duration of exposure. Important to remember, that alcohol, when distributed over the surface of the skin, evaporates quite quickly, this usually happens after 10-15 seconds. Insufficient amount of active ingredient does not provide the desired disinfection result.. Because of this, it is important to increase the amount of the used product to 3-5 ml, depending on the form of release - solution, gel, spray.

3. Skin cleanliness. Disinfectants containing alcohol will not work on 100%, if the skin is dirty. Lipid and protein particles can impede exposure, dust, heavy metals, pesticides. The greatest efficiency can be obtained by combining hand washing with soap and treatment with disinfecting solutions.

4. Proper use. The product must be applied to the palm and immediately start rubbing it in.. It is very important to treat the entire surface of the brushes., focusing on the areas between the fingers and under the nails. If the antiseptic is absorbed earlier, than for 15 seconds, then you need to take some more funds, so that the total processing time is at least 30 seconds. After a few minutes you can use a moisturizer. And rinse with water is not recommended.

It is necessary to treat hands with an antiseptic after contact with a sick person, before and after putting on a face mask, as well as after visiting places of mass use (public transport, the shops, clinic, etc.). Remember, that it is necessary to expose common things more often to antiseptic treatment. To the most "dirty" objects, on which dangerous bacteria accumulate, include money, keys, Cell phones, door handles, handrails on stairs and in transport. It’s important to be very responsible for the disinfection issue., when you care for a sick person, touch his things, feed him. Be sure to sanitize your hands before, how to cook in the kitchen, as well as before eating.

5 may 2020 years on the basis of the state institution "Gomel Regional Center for Hygiene, epidemiology and public health "will work" direct "telephone lines:

– with 08.00 to 17.00 (daily) - tel. 75-56-99 - Hot line for the prevention of coronavirus infection;

– with 10.00 to 12.00 - tel. 33-57-24 - valeologists of the public health department.

Anastasia Stepankova,
doctor-valeologist public health department
Gomel Regional Center for Central Generation and Health