Information for Teachers
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the term ‘respiratory infection’ mean?
- What is the difference between the terms healthy hand hygiene, hand cleaning and handwashing, as used in “Be a Germ Stopper!”?
- Why is healthy hand hygiene becoming increasingly important?
- Why is liquid soap recommended over bar soap for handwashing?
- What are alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
- Are there any non alcohol-based alternatives?
- Do hand sanitizers replace handwashing?
- How do I use alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
- Are alcohol-based hand sanitizers safe to use?
- Are alcohol-based hand sanitizers safe for use with babies?
- Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers present a fire hazard?
- Will alcohol-based hand sanitizers effectively remove food residues that can cause allergic reactions? (E.g. Nut products, shellfish, etc.)
- Should people with open cuts or skin problems (E.g. eczema) use hand sanitizers?
- Is it true that hand cleaning can cause drying of the skin?
- Can alcohol-based hand sanitizers be used to disinfect toys?
- Should I use regular soap or antibacterial soap? What is the difference?
- Can antibacterial soaps/products create ‘superbugs’ (germs that have become resistant to antibiotics)?
- Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers also create ‘superbugs’?
- Are all types of hand wipes effective at removing germs?
- What are the common mistakes to avoid, regarding handwashing?
1. What does the term ‘respiratory infection’ mean?
- A respiratory infection is an illness commonly caused by viruses or bacteria and is characterized by symptoms of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headache, chills, tiredness, fever and/or sore muscles.
- Respiratory infections can lead to other illnesses such as a sore throat, ear infection, sinus infection, tonsillitis and pneumonia.
- Respiratory infections often exacerbate existing health conditions such as asthma.
- These infections can be spread by direct contact (large droplets or airborne particles such as during a cough or a sneeze), or indirect contact (contaminated objects or surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails and keyboards).
2. What is the difference between the terms healthy hand hygiene, hand cleaning and handwashing, as used in “Be a Germ Stopper!”?
- Healthy hand hygiene refers to all practices that help to reduce the spread of germs that can cause illness. This includes handwashing, using
alcohol-based hand sanitizers, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue
or your upper arm (not your hands), being aware of the existence of germs
that live on surfaces (waiting to be picked up by your hands), and keeping
your hands away from your face (to help keep germs out of your body).
- Hand cleaning refers to the act of removing germs from hands, including
hand washing and/or using hand sanitizers.
- Handwashing refers to the act of using soap and water to remove germs from hands.
3. Why is healthy hand hygiene becoming increasingly important?
- Handwashing is the single most effective method for preventing the spread of disease and illness, including respiratory infections. 3, 4, 11
- Results of a survey show that many people still aren’t washing their hands in public places. 2
- Recent outbreaks of potentially fatal infectious diseases such as SARS have made health care workers and the public in general more aware of the importance of healthy hand hygiene. 2
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4. Why is liquid soap recommended over bar soap for handwashing?
- Any soap is better than none. However, liquid soap is recommended because
it has less risk of being contaminated with germs than bar soap.
- Bars of soap can dry out and crack, creating spaces in which germs can
grow. If this happens, change the bar of soap.
- It is fine to use bar soap at home, but keep it on a self-draining soap rack
that is cleaned often. 8
5. What are alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are hand disinfectants that are available as
rubs, gels, or rinses, and that contain more than 60 per cent alcohol. These
products are widely used in health care settings after washing hands, or in
situations when water is not available, in order to get rid of a range of
germs that cause illness. 11
6. Are there any non alcohol-based alternatives?
- Yes, there are some non alcohol-based hand sanitizers on the market.
However, non alcohol-based sanitizers are not as effective as the alcohol-based
ones and may even be harmful to users, due to certain ingredients in
the non-alcohol formulas. 1
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7. Do hand sanitizers replace handwashing?
- No. Both get rid of germs, but in different ways.
- Handwashing is still the first and most important step for cleaning hands, especially after using the washroom or if they are visibly soiled.
- Handwashing with soap and water pulls the dirt and germs free from the skin and washes them away.
- Hand sanitizers are to be used as a supplement to regular, effective
handwashing, when water is not readily available and/or when hands are not
visibly soiled. Applying alcohol-based sanitizers kills germs, but only when
there is no visible dirt. 3, 8
8. How do I use alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
- Visible dirt should be removed from your hands first by washing with soap and water.
- Make sure hands are dry, as water on wet hands will dilute the alcohol content of the disinfectant product, decreasing its effectiveness.
- Apply sanitizer about the size of a dime onto your hands, and rub all over
both hands for about 15 seconds, or until dry, whichever is longer. 11
9. Are alcohol-based hand sanitizers safe to use?
- The alcohol content of the disinfectant product completely evaporates after rubbing hands for 15 seconds, so there is no residue left on the hands, and children can safely touch their mouth or eyes. 11
- Hand sanitizers should not be swallowed; therefore young children should be supervised.11
- The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is governed by the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available from the manufacturer. These product sheets outline the guidelines for safe usage including product name, ingredients, potential health effects, first aid measures, handling and storage, and regulatory information.
10. Are alcohol-based hand sanitizers safe for use with babies?
- These products are not recommended for use on babies' skin since it can be especially sensitive.
- Supervision is recommended when used by children under age six.
- Parents are advised to speak to their child’s doctor when deciding if the child is old enough to use these products. (J. Drenik, personal communication, July 28, 2005)
11. Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers present a fire hazard?
- The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office recommends that “alcohol-based hand sanitizers be used by children with supervision, and stored in a secure location. Since the product is dispensed and used in very small quantities, it presents minimal fire hazards under normal use.”14
12. Will alcohol-based hand sanitizers effectively remove food residues that can cause allergic reactions? (E.g. Nut products, shellfish, etc.)
- No. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not completely remove allfood residues that can cause allergic reactions. Do not rely on hand sanitizers for this purpose.8
- Proper handwashing with soap and water is the best method to remove food residues that can cause allergic reactions.
13. Should people with open cuts or skin problems (E.g. eczema) use hand sanitizers?
- People who have open cuts or skin conditions may find that the application of alcohol-based hand sanitizers causes further irritation. Under these circumstances, it is preferable not to use these products.3
14. Is it true that hand cleaning can cause drying of the skin?
- Drying of the skin may occur both with frequent use of hand sanitizers andfrequent washing with soap and water.
- Some hand sanitizers have added emollients to help keep skin soft and moisturized.
- Using hand lotion after cleaning hands helps to prevent drying of the skin.3, 11
15. Can alcohol-based hand sanitizers be used to disinfect toys?
- These products are recommended for use on hands only. Manufacturers do not make claims about disinfecting other surfaces. (J. Drenik, personal communication, July 28, 2005)
16. Should I use regular soap or antibacterial soap? What is the difference?
- Regular soap is adequate in the home to remove most germs that cause illness.5
- Antibacterial soaps contain only small levels of antibacterial agents. “In fact, the most common household illnesses are viral in nature, to which antibacterial agents are ineffective…There is little evidence to suggest that these agents reduce infections in the home”.5
17. Can antibacterial soaps/products create ‘superbugs’ (germs that have become resistant to antibiotics)?
- Yes. “Antibacterial agents… potentially leave the resistant bacteria to survive and multiply…and may promote the development of resistant genes,” commonly referred to as ‘superbugs’.5
18. Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers also create ‘superbugs’?
- No. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not contain the same ingredients as antibacterial soaps and skin products. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill germs on hands quickly and will not cause germs to become resistant to antibiotics.5
19. Are all types of hand wipes effective at removing germs?
- No. There are products that contain a variety of ingredients that may be effective at removing germs. As for alcohol-based hand wipes, only those that contain more than 60 per cent propanol or 70 per cent ethanol will be effective at killing germs that cause illness.3
20. What are the common mistakes to avoid, regarding handwashing?11
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