Germs

1. Germs By: Rachel Duke Jessica Howington Allison Marks Molly Reeve

2. We’re Washing Our Hands • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPmJXvGiuKY&feature=related

3. Need To Know • There are many diseases that are contagious and can pass easily between people. • Germs are not necessarily passed by touching but also through the air. • Antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future.

4. Nice To Know People should wash their hands: • Before and after handling food • Before and after using the restroom • After handling animals • After coughing • After handling money. *Remind your child to make sure the sanitizer completely dries before he or she touches anything.

5. Essential Skills It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps: • Wet your hands with running water. • Apply liquid, bar or powder soap. • Lather well. • Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails. • Rinse well. • Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer. • If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

6. Fun Facts • Use regular soap and warm water, not hot, since it’s more drying and can lead to cracked skin, which ups infection risks, experts say. • “You need a little grease to keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out,” says dermatologist Barbara R. Reed, MD, of the University of Colorado Denver Hospital on applying lotion after washing your homes.

7. References • http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407/NSECTIONGROUP=2 • http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411978,00.html