| Food Program Information What's the Big Deal about Hand Washing? |
| You can't pick up the newspaper or watch TV without hearing about viruses, flus or SARS. Scientists at times can be puzzled about the origin or spread of diseases. But when it comes to prevention scientists are NOT puzzled about the importance of one very effective measure - hand washing. The most important thing people can do to prevent getting sick is to wash their hands. With frequent hand washing we wash away bacteria, viruses and other germs that we pick up from people, contaminated surfaces or animals. Without hand washing these germs are left to cause infection or to be transmitted to other people. Hand washing works to prevent a wide range of illnesses from colds to hepatitis A to infectious diarrhea and meningitis. With flu season upon us it is a good time to be more aware of washing your own hands and reminding your family and those around you to do so also. |
| Adapted from 'Child Health Alert' |
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