In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of viruses, including the COVID-19 coronavirus. How to wash your hands effectively and what else to do to minimize the risk of infection and spreading the virus?
Viruses don’t like high temperatures
Scientists analyzed 22 studies on human coronaviruses (including MERS and SARS) and found that they can survive outside the host’s body, e.g. on glass or plastic surfaces for up to nine days. They also observed that the chances of coronavirus survival on surfaces decreased at 30-40 ° C and when confronted with disinfectants.
- Check the latest data on the range of the coronavirus in Poland and in the world
Unfortunately, we wash our hands too rarely and usually incorrectly. Dr Albert Vilella, a bioinformatics scientist at Cambridge Epigenetix, posted a graphic on Twitter showing which areas we regularly omit. There are more of them on the outside of the hand, and the germs most often remain on the thumb and nails.
It has long been known that washing hands can help fight the spread of viruses, including influenza virus and the coronavirus COVID-19. How to wash your hands properly?
First of all: time is important – we wash our hands for 15-30 seconds. We can recite, for example, the alphabet during this time. Wash your hands with plenty of warm water using soap. We thoroughly spread the soap on the top and bottom of the hand, we also clean the spaces between the fingers. Let’s not forget about the wrists.
For hand washing, it is worth using proven cosmetic products available on Medonet Market, such as Sylveco moisturizing hand washing gel with a natural composition and Sylveco moisturizing hand washing gel – winter version, which prevents dry hands.
The exact instructions for washing your hands can be found on the graphic:
Wash your hands as often as possible, especially if you are near anyone who has a cold or the flu.
The most important information about the coronavirus:
- Coverage of the Wuhan coronavirus [UPDATED MAP]
- What are the symptoms of the disease caused by COVID-19?
- There are no masks in pharmacies. “They are primarily for the protection of infected people”
- Who gets sick first? Dr. med. Paweł Grzesiowski about the coronavirus epidemic in Poland
- Why does the coronavirus kill some and run like a cold in others?
- Stories of People Who Beat the Coronavirus. There are thousands of them
Means of protection against viruses
Washing your hands frequently can minimize the risk of spreading viruses, but there are other precautions to take as well. It is also helpful to avoid crowded places during periods of increased illness and use alcohol-based disinfectants. If you are unable to wash your hands, avoid touching the area around your face – eyes, mouth and nose.
If you are the carrier of the virus, always carry handkerchiefs with you and cover your nose when you sneeze and your mouth when you cough. Do not share food, especially food taken with your hands from a common package. Follow the rules of hygiene, and if you feel unwell, consult a doctor as soon as possible. Check the symptoms of the disease caused by COVID-19
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.