We fear contracting all sorts of 'flu viruses and other contagious micro-organisms. Our hands are a key to contagion! When we touch something with a bacterium or virus on it (viruses can live from 2-8 hours on objects), the bacterium or virus is transferred to our hands. If we then touch our mouth, nose or eyes, we might introduce illness-causing germs into our bodies. To sanitize our hands properly, the CDC has the following recommendations for hand washing:

o Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply soap.

o Work up a good lather and rub your hands together for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" through twice).

o Rinse your hands well under running water.

o Dry your hands thoroughly with paper towels: turn off the tap with the paper towel.

When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (over 60% alcohol to be effective) as follows:

o Apply product to palm of one hand.

o Rub hands together between fingers and on all surfaces until they are dry (don't get in a hurry and wipe damp hands off on your clothes.)

Much has been done to treat illnesses in the past century, but prevention is always the best policy.

(The information contained in this article comes from the website of the CDC: www.cdc.gov)

For further questions, please call your parish nurses, Nicki Reynolds, R.N. or Kris Thompson, R.N. at (314) 837-1090.

In His Service,
Nicki Reynolds, R.N.