Hygiene: what are the 4 types of diseases transmitted by hands ?

Hygiène : 4 types de maladies transmises par les mains

80% of germs are transmitted by hands. On the occasion of World Hand Hygiene Day, this May 5, let's take a look at the various diseases carried by this means.

Every day, our hands wander everywhere and constantly interact with our environment. We use hands, we grab objects, we hold the bar on public transport…hellip; So many behaviors that promote contact with many micro-organisms. As Public Health France points out, "80% of microbes are transmitted by hands".

And when you bring your contaminated hands to your eyes, nose or mouth, you risk transferring these pathogens there and developing various infections.

Noroviruses

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis and can affect people of all ages. It is often spread when people don't wash their hands enough. Personal and collective hygiene therefore remains the basis of primary prevention.

Airborne diseases

Many infectious diseases – cold, flu, Covid-19 – are spread by droplets that are breathed, sneezed or coughed into the air by an affected person. But poor hand washing techniques – who have recovered from miasmas when coughing or sneezing – are also largely responsible.

Nosocomial infections

The transmission of germs in the hospital occurs mainly through the hands of nursing staff. They must therefore be washed before and after each treatment. Fortunately, the use of hydroalcoholic solutions from the 2000s has made it possible to limit the transmission of infectious agents by hands.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver. It is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water or food. In the family setting, this transmission can occur when an infected individual prepares food for family members with dirty hands.

How to wash your hands ?

Even though hand washing seems like child's play, certain areas – the tips of the fingers, between the fingers, the backs of the hands – are sometimes neglected. A reminder is therefore sometimes necessary:

Wet your hands; use liquid or solid soap; lather by carefully rubbing palms and backs of hands, fingers and between fingers, wrists; clean the underside of the nails; rinse; dry with a clean hand towel; close the tap with the hand towel; throw the hand towel into a trash can.