1. Training Room 3

1.6. Page 7

HSS1010: Health Services Foundations

Training Room 3: Road Map to Wellness

 

Protecting Yourself from Disease

 

Hand Washing

 

This is a photo of hands being washed. WASH ME is written on the hands in blue ink.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

How important is hand washing? Eighty percent of common infections are spread by our hands. According to Alberta Health and Wellness, hand washing, in combination with immunization, is the best way to prevent disease.


What diseases can you catch if you don’t wash your hands properly? Search the Internet or ask your friends and family for the answer. You might also read “Diseases Spread by Not Washing Hands.”

Discuss

Read the following two articles:

What are the main points in these articles? Do you agree or disagree with the position the articles take? Will you be washing your hands more often?

 

Discuss your thoughts and findings with a friend, family member, or classmate.

When Should You Wash Your Hands?

 

Wash your hands before

  • handling or eating food or feeding others
  • inserting or removing contact lenses
  • brushing or flossing teeth
  • treating wounds or cuts

Wash your hands after

  • handling garbage
  • coughing or sneezing
  • blowing your nose or wiping someone else’s nose
  • treating wounds or cuts
  • returning home from school, work, or shopping
  • going to the toilet, helping someone else use the toilet, or changing a diaper
  • having any contact with a person who is sick or with the immediate environment of a person who is sick

Also, children should wash their hands after playing with toys shared with other children.

 

© 1995-2012 Government of Alberta


 

View “Influenza: The Importance of Washing Hands.”

 

 

This is a play button that opens “Influenza: The Importance of Washing Hands”

 

Read “Influenza Self-Care—Clean Your Hands” to learn how to clean your hands with soap and water or with hand sanitizer.

Discuss

Now that you know more about hand washing and hand sanitizers, which do you think is better?

 

Share your thoughts with a friend, family member, or classmate.

What About Immunization?

 

View “Influenza Immunization” to see Albertans talking about immunization and a message from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

 

 

This is a play button that opens “Influenza Immunization.”