In these days of viruses and bacteria resistant to medications and antibiotics, protecting ourselves from infection and illness is incredibly important. In fact, influenza, infectious diarrhea, the common cold, and food-related illnesses such as salmonella and e. coli infection can all be spread by a handshake or a dirty doorknob, thus hand hygiene is paramount for self protection and health.

Contrary to popular opinion, the antibiotic and antimicrobial soaps sold by the gallon to American consumers are no more effective than good old soap and water when it comes to removing bacteria from your hands. In fact, bacteria are now becoming increasingly resistant to medications due to the overuse of such antibacterial products. Truthfully, the best thing that you can do to prevent the spread of illness is to simply wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (about the length of time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song) under warm water with plenty of regular soap and a lot of friction.

Hand hygiene specialists have concluded through scientific research that it is friction and the act of rinsing vigorously with water that removes organisms from the hands. While antimicrobial towelettes and related products are slightly effective, alcohol-based sanitizers have been shown to be considerably more effective than antibacterial soaps.

Proper handwashing technique includes the following:

1) Use warm running water, apply liquid soap or bar soap. Lather well.

2) Rub hands vigorously for at least 15 to 20 seconds (remember the trick of singing "Happy Birthday" to yourself)

3) Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails

4) Rinse well

5) Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel

6) Use a towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door if in a public rest room

You should wash your hands in many situations, including after using the toilet or changing a diaper; after touching animals or their waste; before and after preparing food, especially if handlind raw meat, fish or poultry; before eating; after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing; before or after treating cuts and wounds; after handling garbage; before or after handling contact lenses; before or after having contact with a sick person; when using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants.

Hand hygiene is the #1 way to protect yourself against numerous diseases. including the common cold. Remember that many, many people do not wash their hands properly or often, and those potentially infectious hands are touching the same doorknobs and banisters and faucets that you and your family use every day. Teach your children to wash their hands when using public restrooms, and discourage them from touching faucets and doorknobs after washing since this can easily soil their hands once again.

We cannot protect ourselves against every threat that's our there, and we also don't want to live our lives in a way that seems obsessive or hypervigilant. However, every time we take the extra few moments to wash our hands, we are potentially preventing ourselves from illness and disease.

Clean hands, dirty hands. It's in your hands.