Preventing disease is an important part of keeping your child in good health. Everyday, your child is exposed to bacteria and viruses. How?
- playing with others
- sharing toys
- using the toilet
- petting animals
Once your child has acquired germs on their hands, the germs can cause infection through:
- eye rubbing
- placing fingers in the mouth
- picking their nose
Getting infected can happen in seconds. Germs can travel easily person to persons from our hands because we are always touching things we are sharing such as toys . When these germs get onto the hands, they can be passed from person to person and make people sick. Global research has shown that about 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from gastro and respiratory diseases.
Handwashing is the single most important thing that you can teach your child for helping to prevent infection.
If we have learned anything in the year 2020 it is the importance of handwashing. Handwashing kills germs and bacteria. Every child should learn how to wash their hands properly. Do not assume that your child knows how to wash their hands. Start teaching them at a young age and set the example by washing your own hands. Good hygiene techniques are easy to learn and have been shown to prevent the spread of diseases among children.
Studies have shown that handwashing education within communities:
- reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea
- reduces diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems
- reduces respiratory illnesses in the general population
When Should Your Child Wash Their Hands?
- Before eating meals and snacks
- After using the bathroom
- After playing outdoors
How Should Your Child Wash Their Hands?
-
- Wet their hands with fresh running water.
- Add bar or liquid soap and rub the hands together for at least 20 seconds making a soapy lather. Have your child sing “Ring Around The Rosie”song from beginning to end twice to time themselves.
- Wash the front and back of the hands, between the fingers, and try to get under the nails.
- Rinse the hands under clean, running water.
- Dry the hands thoroughly with a clean towel.
Us hand sanitizer if soap is not available. But please remember, hand sanitizer does not replace washing your hands and hand sanitizers do not necessarily kill all germs. Make sure you check the label,
As we work more closely together to focus on your child’s health, it is important to understand how infections happen and the best ways to prevent them to make sure you and your family are protected.
If you would like more information about children’s gastrointestinal digestive disorders and nutrition in children, please contact Dr. Walia at 470-228-4778 or visit her online at gainesvillepediatricgi.com.
