Germ Juice

   This semester, I am taking a class called Health and Wellness. It is really cool because we learn how to promote good health and well being using alternative methods and measures (such as a Netty Pott to clear sinuses). One activity that we recently did was called "Germ Juice". We passed around these little bottles that contained a watery substance that once placed on your hands, dried immediately. After about 15 seconds or so, we put our hands under a black light and any germs present on your hands showed up ( as a very appropriate and nasty looking shade of green). I was amazed at how "dirty" my hands were because I had just recently used the men's room and washed my hands ( about 10-15 mins before). I was very discouraged by my hand washing abilities. Because of this, I decided to research the proper way how to and when to wash you hands. After all, "Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health".

   The Mayo Clinic, a world renouned institution, has a wonderful website dedicated to hand washing: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407/NSECTIONGROUP=2 . On the website they show you when to and how to use soap to wash you hands. Here is a preview of what they say:

Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food
• Eating
• Treating wounds or giving medicine
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the toilet
• Changing a diaper
• Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

Of course, it's also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.

How to wash your hands

It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps:

• Wet your hands with running water.
• Apply liquid, bar or powder soap.
• Lather well.
• Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.
• If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

I know it sounds kind of silly to do a blog about hand washing at the age of 22, but if you were to see what I saw on my hands as a result of the germ juice, you would totally understand what it has done to my life.

As a second note, I will be doing some research on antibacterial soap for next week's blog. I read an interesting sentence or two on the website that made me wonder "hmmm, is that really true"? See if you agree...