I have a friend who conducts about a dozen job interviews each day, with a courteous hand-shake before and after each meet-up. With many of his interviews back-to-back, he doesn’t get a chance to properly wash his hands. So, between appointments, he squirts on hand sanitizer to prevent spreading germs from applicant to applicant.

He complains that his hands are raw from all the alcohol, but he considers it a necessary precaution. But is this quick wipe-up enough to protect him and the folks he interviews from spreading cold, flu, and H1N1 germs? Is hand sanitizer as effective as a good hand-washing? [Read more →]

Hooray for Global Handwashing Day! It couldn’t come at a better time, as cold and flu season sets in. Our busy hands are virus vectors and bacteria bait, and poor hand hygiene is one of the 8 sure-fire ways to catch a cold.

And congratulations to Canada! An international survey suggests that Canadians have the best understanding in the world of the role that good hygiene plays in preventing infection.

You may soon find yourself coughing, sneezing, and rubbing a runny nose, so now is as good a time as any to scrub up on your hand hygiene know-how. And if you’re a man, pay special attention! [Read more →]

One more week of freedom … that’s about all most kids have left before school starts back up again. For the first time, H1N1 flu worries may trump head lice and crummy cafeteria food as parents’ top health back-to-school health anxieties. And some of the best prevention advice comes from the street … Sesame Street, that is.

So, before they start cramming new notebooks into those brand-new backpacks, cram in a few quick hygiene lessons via Elmo:

Elmo and his good pal Gordon (who seems to never age) have the right idea. To elaborate on Elmo’s wash-wash-wash technique, be sure to train your school-bound buddies to follow these 6 steps to an effective hand-washing:

1. First remove any rings or jewellery, since they can trap or hide germs.

2. Wet your hands and wrists with warm water.

3. Rub regular soap into your hands. Intertwine your fingers and rub in between them. Rub the back of each hand with the opposite palm, paying attention to the knuckles and nails. Rub each thumb by gripping it with the opposite hand. Do the same with your wrists. Lather all surfaces of your hands for 15 seconds - or long enough to sing through the song “Happy Birthday.”

4. Rinse your hands and wrists thoroughly, rubbing them under warm running water.

5. Gently wipe and dry your hands with a clean towel, paper towel, or air drier.

6. Use a paper towel to turn off the tap. The same towel can be reused to open the door so you don’t pick up any bacteria or viruses from the door handle.

Also, Elmo doesn’t mention that hand sanitizer - the right kind, used properly - can help in a pinch.

My eyes are a bit bloodshot and I’m feeling a sore throat coming on. It seems that after a week of coughing, high fevers, and a visit to the pediatrician, I have finally caught my daughter’s cold.

She’s small and cute, I mean, you could probably fit her in your pocket if you tried, but this cold was anything but cute! [Read more →]