Clean hands, the best defense against flu, swine or seasonal

The flu, both the H1N1 or  “swine fluâ€� and seasonal flu, are much in the news. Certainly, flu shots are a good way to protect yourself and your family, but one of the best defenses is the easiest: Wash your hands, well and often.  

It would seem that everyone knows how to properly wash their hands, but it’s possible you’re not doing it thoroughly enough. Lisa Cook, R.N., of the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, has some pointers on technique that bear repeating.

“Use warm water and lots of soap and get some friction going with the suds,� Cook said. “Wash the backs of your hands, around and under your nails, between your fingers and around your rings.�

Don’t rush handwashing. “Wash for 15 to 20 seconds at the very minimum, the longer the better,� she said. To get an idea of how long is long enough, Cook suggested that you try a little tip that nursery school students are taught: wash for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday� twice. Twice through “Row, Row, Row Your Boat� works, too.

Now, of course, you began your handwashing routine by turning on the taps.  Don’t ruin all your good work by touching those taps to turn the water off with your bare hands.  Use the paper towel you used to dry your hands to turn off the water, particularly in public restrooms, and use it again to open the door.   

The flu is caused by a virus, and viruses don’t tend to live on surfaces, Cook noted.  However, she continued, secondary infections can be spread by bacteria, which can survive for a time on virtually any surface:  doorknobs, money, handrails, shopping cart handles, a computer mouse, or vending machines, to mention but a few.  All the more reason to keep your hands spanking clean all the time.

Among the best innovations of recent years are hand sanitizers containing alcohol.  Sanitizers come in small bottles that tuck neatly into pocket, purse, backpack or car glove compartment. In fact, unless hands are visibly dirty or when soap and water aren’t available, a hand sanitizer is a very effective tool in the quest for clean hands and in keeping you and those around you healthy.

The Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association will offer two flu clinics on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Salisbury Pharmacy and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Canaan Apothecary. The seasonal flu vaccination is $40 and the pneumonia vaccination is $65. Cash, check or insurance is accepted.  For information on insurance coverage, call the Salisbury VNA office at 860-435-0816. The clinic is open to everyone.

Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, founded in 1904, offers home nursing and hospice care to residents throughout the Northwest Corner. Writer Cyd Emmons is a consultant to SVNA and other area firms.