Washing your hands reduces the risk of many illnesses, from flu to food poisoning.

Göztepe Süleyman Yalçın City Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Yasemin Çağ, speaking to an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent on the occasion of October 15th World Handwashing Day, said that even if hands appear clean, they can still harbor many disease agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, making handwashing crucial.

Çağ explained that if hands aren't washed regularly, there's a risk of disease transmission to both the individual and those around them. "For an infection to spread, it needs to be transmitted from one infected person to another. Think of an upper respiratory tract infection. The disease spreads from one person to another. Washing your hands there prevents transmission to another person upon contact. Therefore, we are preventing infection there. By washing your hands, we are protecting ourselves and also protecting public health," he said.

Prof. Dr. Çağ stated that alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wet wipes can be partially effective when washing hands is not possible, and that he recommends that those who use public transportation and frequently come into contact with the outside environment carry hand sanitizer with them.

Pointing out the importance of proper hand washing, Çağ said, "In order to wash hands effectively, we need to wet our hands with water, take some soap, and wash our thumbs, between our fingers, and under our nails for at least 20 seconds."

Çağ stated that there is no difference between using solid or liquid soap, and that it is important to wash your hands effectively and for the right amount of time.

Çağ emphasized the need for people to be mindful of the surfaces they touch throughout the day, saying, "People inevitably touch many places with their hands throughout the day. We should be especially careful on public transportation. Public transportation, handrails, elevator buttons, door handles in public areas, and restrooms are all risky areas that harbor disease-causing agents."

Explaining that the Covid-19 outbreak has raised awareness about handwashing habits around the world, Çağ said that handwashing is important to prevent the spread of epidemics.

Çağ, noting that Türkiye has a high awareness of handwashing, said, "It's important to maintain this habit and keep it on the agenda. Parents need to set an example for their children by maintaining their own handwashing habits."

Prof. Dr. Çağ stated, "With a simple habit like handwashing, we can actually prevent one-fifth of flu and upper respiratory tract infections. Similarly, we can also prevent one-third of illnesses like diarrhea and food poisoning. Handwashing is the most effective, simple, and inexpensive method for preventing infections."

Çağ stated that hands should be washed before and after contact, and noted:

We must wash our hands before preparing food, after preparing it, before starting and finishing eating, before using the restroom, and after leaving the restroom. Similarly, we must wash our hands after sneezing, coughing, or blowing our nose. We must also wash our hands immediately after returning home, especially after coming into contact with the environment, meaning the environment. We must also wash our hands after caring for or touching animals.