{"id":15148,"date":"2020-09-02T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=15148"},"modified":"2022-11-17T11:59:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T16:59:21","slug":"how-to-wash-your-hands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-wash-your-hands\/","title":{"rendered":"How often should you wash your hands, and what\u2019s the best way to do it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Handwashing is one of the best and easiest ways to <\/span>prevent all kinds of infections<\/span><\/a>, from seasonal colds and flus to COVID-19. However, you might be doing it wrong\u2026 or at least not nearly as often as you should. Here\u2019s what you need to know about when to wash your hands, how to wash your hands properly,\u00a0 and when you can substitute hand sanitizer for soap and water.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

By the numbers: Why handwashing is important<\/span><\/h2>\n

Bacterial and viral illnesses spread in a variety of ways, but transmission primarily happens through contact with contaminated surfaces or by breathing in infected respiratory droplets. Some illnesses are also spread through food, fecal matter, contaminated water sources, or open wounds on the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the biggest source of transmission by far is contact: when you touch a surface contaminated with viral particles or bacteria and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you give germs an opportunity to enter your body in a way that can make you sick. And most of the common surfaces we touch every day\u2014like cell phones, doorknobs, communal chairs and tables, subway railings\u2014are basically giant petri dishes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n