Hand Washing To Prevent Illness

We Should, But Many Of Us Don't; Tips For Doing It Right

(CBS)  Even though hand washing has been shown to be an easy and effective method of preventing the spread of illnesses, recent research shows many of us aren't as conscientious about it as we should be.

As The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay explains, some germs can spread easily from person to person. Viruses that cause colds and flu and bacteria that cause stomach woes can be easily transmitted by hand-to-hand and hand-to-surface contact. Keeping hands clean and following some basic hygiene practices can help keep you and those you come in contact with from getting sick. Infection can also result from touching noses, eyes or mouths with contaminated hands.

Senay says you should wash hands before preparing or eating food, after going to the bathroom, after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom, before and after tending to someone who is sick, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, after handling an animal or animal waste, after handling garbage, and before and after treating a cut or wound.

But a recent study from the American Society for Microbiology and the Soap and Detergent Association found that some people aren't as diligent as they should be when it comes to washing their hands when they should, such as after going to the bathroom.