Blog – Chughtai Institute of Pathology

Everything you need to know about washing your hands to protect against coronavirus (COVID-19)

Owais Rana — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 06:04:28 +0000

Washing your hands can protect you and your loved ones.

How do I wash my hands properly?

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to remove all traces of the virus on your hands by
proper handwashing technique.
Step 1: Wet hands with running water
Step 2: Apply enough soap to cover wet hands
Step 3: Scrub all surfaces of the hands – including the back of hands, between fingers, under nails and wrists – for at least 20 seconds.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with running water
Step 5: Dry your hands

How long should I wash my hands?

You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

The same goes for hand sanitizer: use a sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol and rub it into your hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure full coverage.

When should I wash my hands?

In the context of COVID-19 prevention, you should make sure to wash your hands at the following times:

After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
After visiting a public space, including public transportation, markets and places of worship
After touching surfaces outside of the home, including money
Before, during and after caring for a sick person
Before and after eating

How can I help my child wash his or her hands?

You can help children wash their hands by making handwashing easier for them, for instance, by setting up a stool so they can reach water and soap by themselves. You can make it fun for them by singing their favorite songs while you help them rub their hands.

Remember to wash for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to time it is by singing the full happy birthday song, twice with them.

Do I need to use warm water to wash my hands?

No, you can use any temperature of water to wash your hands. Coldwater and warm water are equally effective at killing germs and viruses – as long as you use soap!

Do I need to dry my hands with a towel?

Germs spread more easily from wet skin than from dry skin, so drying your hands completely is an important step. Paper towels or clean clothes are the most effective way to remove germs without spreading them to other surfaces.

Which is better: washing your hands or using hand sanitizer?

Handwashing with soap and water and using hand sanitizer, are both highly effective at killing most germs and viruses. Hand sanitizer is often more convenient when you are outside of the home.

What if I don’t have soap?

Use proper sneezing and coughing etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of used tissue immediately, and wash your hands
Avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes)
Practice social distancing: Avoiding shaking hands, hugging or kissing people, sharing food, utensils, cups, and towels
Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
Seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing
Clean surfaces that might have come in touch with the virus, and generally clean surfaces more frequently (especially in public spaces)

Reference Link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120148084/coronavirus-heres-the-science-of-why-soap-and-water-is-better-than-hand-sanitiser

COVID-19 MYTH BUSTER

Owais Rana — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 06:00:30 +0000

Since the first case of Coronavirus was identified, people have been spreading dangerous myths and misinformation everywhere. Here are a few more myths that the World Health Organization has busted and provided an explanation.

Myth 1:

‘The virus doesn’t survive in hot and humid weather ‘

FACT: The virus can be transmitted in any weather from human to human.

Myth 2:

‘You can catch the virus through mosquito bites’

FACT: There is no evidence to suggest it can be transmitted through mosquito bites.

It spreads only in respiratory droplets.

Myth 3:

‘A pneumonia vaccine provides protection’

FACT: Coronavirus needs its own vaccine, and scientists are working to find one.

Myth 4:

‘Antibiotics are an effective treatment’

FACT: Antibiotics only work on bacteria not viruses

Myth 5:

‘Only old people are at risk’

FACT: Anyone can catch it.

People with conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease seem more vulnerable to getting severely ill.

COVID-19 guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

Owais Rana — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 05:57:49 +0000

This guidance is intended for:

people with symptoms that may be caused by a coronavirus, and do not require hospital treatment, who must remain at home until they are well
those living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by a coronavirus

The important points to be followed are:

if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started
if you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for 7 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill
for anyone else in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14-day isolation period
it is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
if you can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period
if you cannot move vulnerable people out of your home, stay away from them as much as possible
if you have coronavirus symptoms:
- do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
- testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home
plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household
ask your employer, friends, and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home
wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitizer

if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then contact your healthcare provider.