What is it?

Hand hygiene is the process of cleaning your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading diseases. Viruses, bacteria and microorganisms can stick to your hands. Hand washing removes these harmful substances from your hands, preventing them from spreading to other people.

The hands are a common pathway of disease transmission. That’s why proper hand hygiene is essential for preventing infections. Hand hygiene is a proven method for reducing infection spread. To practise good hand hygiene, you need to use soap and water, antiseptic hand wash, or alcohol-based hand rubs or wipes. Gloves are not a substitute for hand washing. It’s also important to dry your hands thoroughly after washing them.