Avoid Falling Ill
Handwashing is a vital step that individuals can take to prevent falling ill. Handwashing, according to recent estimates, prevents about thirty percent of diarrhea-related illnesses. Handwashing also prevents 20 percent of colds, respiratory infections and other illnesses. Antibiotic resistance is also reduced by handwashing. It is important to wash hands with soap, especially for children. Scientists believe that handwashing soap can protect up to one third of children with diarrhea and one fifth with pneumonia or other respiratory infections.
To avoid getting sick, people should wash their hands after using the bathroom. In a single gram of human waste, there are more than one trillion germs. These germs can cause noroviruses, adenoviruses, and hand, foot, mouth disease. Handwashing can reduce respiratory and cold illnesses by up 21 percent and diarrhea by 40 percent. Handwashing can reduce diarrheal illnesses by up to 58 percent for those with weak immune systems. Handwashing can reduce absences from school due to gastrointestinal illnesses by as much as 57%.