HCA Florida Healthcare urges families to practice healthy hand hygiene this winter

For many of us, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also a time of increased risk of infectious illnesses. Dec. 5-11 is National Handwashing Awareness Week, and HCA Florida Healthcare’s infection prevention experts say clean hands to help prevent the spread of illnesses may be the best gift you can give to family, friends, and co-workers this holiday season.

During the winter months, the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID, flu, and the common cold increase. Factor in holiday travel and large gatherings, and the risk of catching an infectious disease is high. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infection and 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses.

“Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy year-round,” said Tarisa Watson, infection prevention director at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital. “It may seem simple but knowing the proper way to wash your hands and practicing consistent hand washing, especially after going to the bathroom, before and after caring for someone who is sick or injured, and before and after handling food, can significantly reduce the spread of infection.“

The CDC’s Life Is Better With Clean Hands campaign encourages everyone to make consistent handwashing part of their daily lives. The CDC recommends following these five steps for clean hands and a healthy holiday season:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Watson said you can protect your whole family by helping your kids practice handwashing skills and making it part of their daily routine.

“Set an example for others by consistently washing your hands at key times,” Watson said. “Teach your kids the five steps and give them frequent reminders of how and when to wash hands. If you start when they are young, handwashing can become a lifelong healthy habit.”

If soap and water aren't available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to help prevent the spread of illness.