Hand hygiene to manage childhood infections: Doctor shares tips to follow
In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr Atique Ahemad, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai said, 'The main cause of diarrheal and respiratory diseases globally among children is improper and insufficient hand washing practices making it not only the leading cause of infectious disease burden globally but also being responsible for half of all child deaths per year.'
The doctor pointed out the significance of hand hygiene in reducing the risk of diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infections. 'Hand washing has been shown to reduce diarrhea morbidity and life-threatening diarrhea by 42% to 48% and the prevalence of upper respiratory infections by 24%. Young children less than 5 years of age are most at risk, particularly those attending childcare or preschool,' he said. Also read | Handwashing: How, when, how long to do it to keep infections like Covid at bay
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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