1. The scoop on poop
The CDC says a single gram of human feces (poop), can have up to one trillion germs. These germs can easily get onto hands by simply touching contaminated surfaces. Imagine if kids forget to wash their hands, or don’t wash them properly, then have a pizza party complete with hugs and high-fives.
2. A hard look around the world
About 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die from diarrheal diseases and respiratory diseases such as pneumonia each year, making them the leading causes of death for young children worldwide. Spread of these infections can be reduced by washing hands and educating others how to do so properly.
Handwashing properly with soap and clean, running water, for at least 20 seconds can protect:
- 1 out of 3 young kids who get sick with diarrhea
- 1 out of 5 young kids with respiratory infections like pneumonia
3. The case against antibiotic resistance
We already know that proper hand hygiene prevents and reduces sicknesses. But did you know that by washing your hands the right way, you can also prevent the overuse of antibiotics? Here’s why:
- Viral, viral, viral – many children are given antibiotics “just in case” for common viruses or fevers that antibiotics do not fight. Reminder: antibiotics are 100% useless against viral illnesses.
- Long-term effects – overusing antibiotics when you are sick can be harmful in the long run, and make bacteria not respond to antibiotics when they are actually needed to kill bacterial infections.
- Antibiotic-resistant bacterial illnesses – some bacteria unfortunately are now resistant to common antibiotics, but handwashing helps prevent the spread of these bacteria.
>Related: Decode these common childhood illnesses
