25 February 2011
The infection control and prevention team at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals is reminding local people about the importance of regular hand washing to stay healthy.
Cold weather is often seen as the prime time for infectious illnesses, but although winter is on its way out, the threat posed by viruses and other bugs is not. Fortunately, a quick and effective way to prevent spreading them is easily available to everyone.
Dr John Clark is a consultant microbiologist at the Trust. He said: "It may sound obvious, but the first line of defence against bugs and infections is to wash your hands with soap and water.
"It's incredible how often people forget or think they won't bother 'just this once'. But washing your hands after sneezing, after going to the toilet or in particular before preparing food should become second nature. People should also take special care to wash their hands after handling raw meat for cooking.
"We're not asking members of the public to go overboard, but rather apply some common sense and take a 'better safe than sorry' approach to hand hygiene.
"Anyone visiting our hospitals will have noticed the emphasis we place on good hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of infection. If everyone took that ethos home with them, I am sure people would be at less risk from complaints of vomiting, diarrhoea and viral chest infections.
"Just spending a moment or two to clean your hands could prevent many days of discomfort."
