List of diseases from not washing hands

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Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: Germs are like cars. They are always on the move. And our hands? They're like one big freeway, moving germs toll-free from location to location outside and inside your body. But when you wash your hands, you create a major roadblock, stopping the germs in their tracks. So, what would happen if you gave up handwashing forever?

Your hands can have anywhere from 100,000 to a few million germs at any given time. Some of those germs live naturally on your skin to protect you, but a lot of them are quite literally picked up in the environment. Those germs then sit, waiting for transportation to your mouth, nose, or eyes. And these environmental germs can be downright evil.

This was something we discovered way back in the 1840s, when Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis noticed that when doctors performed autopsies and then helped women give birth, it led to a higher death rate among the mothers. Semmelweis implemented chlorine handwashing practices throughout the hospital, and death rates dropped significantly.

Now, there are a lot of disease-causing germs out there. Meet bacterial conjunctivitis, or, as you may know it, pink eye: the pus-producing, eye-burning infection. Say you go to the bathroom and don't wash up afterwards. That bacteria makes its way onto your hands, and then a simple eye scratch will set your pink eye into motion.

After preparing uncooked meat, petting certain animals, or coming in contact with fecal matter, your stomach is about to feel pretty terrible. Diarrhea-causing illnesses, like salmonella or giardiasis, are 30% more likely when you don't wash your hands. And even after you recover, you are likely to find yourself catching these illnesses again and again.

As you continue touching contaminated surfaces and shaking hands, more germs come into the mix. You are 20% more likely to catch respiratory viruses, like influenzas, the common cold, and, of course, COVID-19, potentially leading to complications or even severe pneumonia.

And then there's the norovirus. This severe stomach virus only needs a single particle to infect you. Influenzas need 50 to 100. So without handwashing, you're almost guaranteed to catch it sooner or later.

Now, you could diminish your chances of getting any of these diseases by simply not touching your face. But good luck; one small study found that on average, people touch their faces over 20 times an hour.

And, sure, germs will die eventually if they haven't been transported to an opening, but because you won't be able to stop touching things, you also won't be able to stop picking up new germs and other grime, so your hands will get dirtier and dirtier, smellier and smellier. And chances are you aren't moisturizing either, which means your hands will become dry and cracks will form, creating a perfect pocket for germs.

Let's say that now you get a cut on your hand. Not only will all those diseases have an even easier way inside, the most menacing germs might just join this infection party. Staphylococcus, more commonly known as staph, can be a relatively harmless group of bacteria and can even be commonly found in some people's noses. But when a wound opens up and staph moves in, expect skin irritations, boils, fevers, and even blood infections.

Some strains of staph and other bacteria take it one step further. Welcome the flesh-eating bacteria, also known for causing necrotizing soft tissue infections. This life-threatening infection is a result of bacteria invading the skin, often when a cut or wound is present. It can destroy the skin, muscle, and, if untreated, lead to death.

So, you now have a cocktail of infectious diseases, severe blisters, rashes, and your flesh is being eaten alive. It's right about now you might want to rush off and wash your hands. But remember, it's not about how often you wash; it's about how and when you wash.

For how, make sure it's for at least 20 seconds, covering every inch of your hand. If you don't have a sink or clean water, use at least 60% alcohol hand sanitizer for 20 seconds, making sure the hands stay wet throughout. And for when, wash whenever you think you might have come in contact with germs. And try to see how long you can go without touching your face.

CDC: "Hygiene Fast Facts," "When and How to Wash Your Hands," "Show Me the Science – When & How to Use Hand Sanitizer in Community Settings," "Show Me the Science - Why Wash Your Hands?" "Pinworm Infection FAQs," "Pink Eye." "Staph Infections Can Kill," "Sepsis."

May 5 is celebrated as World Hand Hygiene Day to mobilize people across the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in health care facilities. And the theme for this year’s World Hand Hygiene Day is “SAVE LIVES: Clean your hands.”

The main goal is to recognize that hand washing is one of the most effective actions a person can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections like covid-19, according to the WHO. In case you’re still taking washing your hands lightly, here’s a reminder.

Here’s what happens when you don’t wash your hands frequently enough
During the course of a day, we touch a number of things—including soiled surfaces, gadgets, utensils, doorknobs, and handrails that house bacteria and viruses. These germs can enter our body when we touch our eyes, nose, and mouth without washing our hands.

We also use our hands to prepare as well as eat food. If our hands are not clean, they can contaminate the food. In fact, there are a number of infectious diseases that can spread from one person to another with contaminated hands.

Also read: Frequent hand washing making your skin dry? This is how you can keep them soft and supple

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, scientists have said that washing hands frequently can restrict the spread of covid-19. Not just this, proper handwashing can also prevent the spread of cold and flu among other viral diseases.
Just to drive the point home, here are the risks you are exposing yourself and other by not washing your hands frequently:

1. Diarrhoea
To prevent diarrhoea, you should ensure that you wash your hands regularly. As per a study conducted by University of Calaba, Nigeria, washing hands regularly may help reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea by up to 30%.

2. Hepatitis A
This viral infection which may cause liver problems, jaundice, abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue is often spread through food which has been contaminated by people preparing it with unclean hands.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, consuming even microscopic traces of contaminated faecal matter can result in transmission of Hepatitis A. You can avoid this risk of this disease to a large extent by washing your hands—and of course eating clean food and drinking clean water.

3. Pink eye
One of the most annoying infections you can get, pink eye is also very contagious.

According to the National Eye Institute, USA, since people rub their eyes to alleviate discomfort and then touch their surroundings, the germs that cause pink eye end up on all sorts of surfaces—where it can live for hours or even days. Washing hands helps get rid of the virus or bacteria even before it can spread.

Also read: Here’s a coronavirus update: Experts say covid-19 can spread through the eyes

4. Common cold
Getting a cold can make you feel miserable. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, frequent handwashing can lower a person’s risk of falling prey to respiratory illness by 45%

5. Covid-19
You already knew this one, but here’s a gentle reminder. One of the most important things we need to do to win this battle against covid-19 is washing our hands frequently. You need to wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds to curb the spread of covid-19 and these other diseases.

And what better day to begin the conscious practice of washing your hands than on World Hand Hygiene Day 2020

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