We cannot repeat it enough: hand washing is the first step and even the essential gesture that prevents the spread of winter viruses. Gastro, bronchiolitis, colds, flu: so many diseases that are widely rife at the moment and that can be avoided by being transmitted by taking care to wash your hands regularly, several times a day, and in particular after having looked after a baby, after sneezing, after taking public transport or shopping in public places.
However, if we are to believe the latest figures from the 2010 health barometer of the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes), hand washing is far from being an automatic gesture! Thus, according to this barometer:
– 66% of people do not wash their hands after taking public transport
– 78% do not wash them systematically after blowing their nose
– 40% do not wash their hands before cooking and 33% do not wash them before taking care of a baby.
In addition, when they have a respiratory infection, 28% of French people say they continue to go to public places such as cinemas or restaurants, 24% to visit their family or friends … without worrying about the possible spread. of their viruses!
>> To read also: Hygiene: are you doing too much or not enough?
Hand washing: for at least 30 seconds
In this period of virus sharing, Inpes recommends wash your hands several times a day with soap, for 30 seconds. The body also invites you to repeat this gesture after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose, before and after each meal, after each outing and after going to the toilet, of course. Note that if necessary, the hydro-alcoholic solution can replace soap and water. But not systematically because, in the event of too frequent use, the hydroalcoholic gel damages the hydrolipidic film which protects the skin.
Note that on the front of winter viruses, it is above all the epidemic of infant bronchiolitis which is currently rife, while influenza is only present in 5 regions: Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Ile-de-France, Franche-Comté, Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur, and Midi-Pyrénées.