GERMS AND HYGIENE
When you cough or sneeze, you send tiny germ-filled droplets into the air. Colds and flu usually spread that way. You can help stop the spread of germs by
- Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Sneeze or cough into your elbow, not your hands.
- Cleaning your hands often – always before you eat or prepare food, and after you use the bathroom or change a diaper
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Hand washing is one of the most effective and most overlooked ways to stop disease. Soap and water work well to kill germs. Wash for at least 20 seconds and rub your hands briskly. Disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers also work well.
HOW CLEAN SHOULD WE BE?
Your baby drops a cracker on the floor. Does the 5-second rule apply, or do you quickly throw it away?
Or could those germs actually be good for him? Well, kind of.
There’s a belief that says exposing people especially babies and young children to different kinds of germs early in life can keep them from developing illnesses and other diseases that affect the immune system. The theory, called the “hygiene hypothesis,” is that our bodies need “practice” fighting germs.
Looks like that message has gotten through. In a survey by the Hygiene Council, 77% of moms with kids under 5 thought their children should be exposed to germs to help build stronger immune systems.
“In the 20th century we started changing the way we live. We live in very clean boxes. Water is immaculate. Food is nearly sterile. Exposure to bacteria and soil is less common,”but being super clean may not be good for growing immune systems.
“Certain diseases that were essentially unknown in the 18th century and earlier are becoming common now.” But we’re also not dying from the plague. So does this mean we can stop washing our hands and can eat food off the floor? Not so fast. “But there’s probably something to be said for not sheltering children from exposure to routine (germs) during childhood and the sort of overboard way we go.”
But that doesn’t mean you should throw cleanliness to the wind. According to the “old friends theory,” which takes the hygiene hypothesis further, it’s true that exposure to some friendly germs helps us. But we still have to limit being around germs that cause serious illnesses. So where should we draw the line?
what you should stop worrying about
Sterilizing Everything
You can probably lay off all the antibacterial soaps and cleansers. Even the FDA is skeptical. They are asking antibacterial soap makers to prove that the products are more effective than regular soap. There are also questions about the safety of some of the ingredients, so there may be more risks than benefits. “The vast amount of types of bacteria and viruses and fungi that we see in everyday life don’t hurt us at all. They’re just there,” says Weinstock “Only a handful” are likely to make you sick, he says.
To get rid of germs when washing your hands, encourage your kids to lather up for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
Antibiotics
When your child is sick, you definitely want to go to the doctor to get him checked out. But many childhood illnesses are caused by viruses. antibiotics won’t fight those or speed your little one’s recovery in those cases.
“The first response shouldn’t be to demand to put your child on an antibiotic, which will kill the good bacteria in order to fight the bad bacteria,” Barnes says. Good bacteria live in our guts, and we need them for digestion.
Germs: Where to Fight
Even if you don’t have to stress about everything, there are some key things to focus on to keep your family healthy and happy. You can be “germ smart,” say the experts, by sticking to some basics.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for produce and for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Wash countertops, utensils, and cutting boards in hot, soapy water.
- Use a food thermometer. Cook whole meats to 145 F, ground meats to 160 F, and chicken and turkey to 165 F.
- Don’t leave out food for more than 2 hours. Keep it to less than 1 hour when it is warm outside.
- Disinfect kitchen counters before and after preparing food. Use paper towels or sanitizing wipes.
- Disinfect bathroom surfaces often — especially if someone in the house is sick.
The Health Counsellor 