Infection Control

The Critical Need to Wash Your Dirty Hands

By: Teresa D. Mabry

Narrated by: Aisling Leyne

To think of not washing one's 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 throughout the day. Commodities carry germs, and so do other people’s hands. Hands can be visibly or invisibly dirty. Therefore, dashing through the day, handling money, shaking hands, visiting the restroom, and handling door knobs and various other items without taking the time to wash one's hands places oneself and other people at substantial risk for transmitted diseases.

Hands are hosts 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.” 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 lives or someone else’s.

©2020 Teresa D. Mabry (P)2021 Teresa D. Mabry