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Stop spreading the bacteria and viruses in children

Bacteria and viruses are spread from children to children simply through touch and through the air. Infections occur due to the spread of bacteria and viruses. So it is important to stop the spreading of bacteria and viruses.

To stop the spreading of bacteria and viruses, good hygiene practices are important. Good hygienic practices are washing hands, encouraging children to cough or sneeze into their elbow, and not sharing the cups, cutlery, or personal items.

Washing hands –

Why? –

When the bacteria and viruses come in contact with hands, it is easily transmitted on touch. Once the bacteria and virus are on hands, they can get inside the body on touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. So to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, washing hands is an important good hygienic practice.

When? –

Washing your children’s hands and your hands are the best things to do to stop the spread of bacteria and viruses. Washing hands should be done before eating food, before feeding a child, before giving medications to a child, and before touching or holding a sick child. And also washing hands should be done after changing a nappy, after helping a child use the toilet, after wiping your child’s nose, after touching or holding a sick child, and after touching the pets or other animals.

How? –

First, wet the hands

Apply soap or hand wash and rub for at least 20 seconds

Make sure to rub in between the fingers, under fingernails, around the thumb, bank of hands and wrists

Rinse the hand and dry

Others –

Follow other good hygienic practices like encouraging the child to cough or sneeze into their elbow and to use tissues instead of hankies.

Key points to remember –

It is important to hand wash regularly to prevent the spread of infection

Wash hands for at least 20 seconds

Follow other good hygienic practices

More information –

https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=1981&language=english

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/hand-washing.html

https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/importance-of-hand-washing-for-kids-infographic

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Hand_Hygiene_why_is_it_so_important/