Are you washing your hands properly? There's a 20-second rule.

The expert emphasized that hand hygiene is the simplest yet most effective method for preventing the spread of infections, saying, "In daily life, hands come into contact with many surfaces, and microorganisms can easily spread during this time. Proper handwashing breaks this chain of transmission and significantly reduces the risk of infection at both the individual and societal levels."

"CONTACT IS THE CAUSE OF MANY INFECTIONS"

Dr. Tunca stated that many infectious agents, such as the flu, the common cold, Covid-19, and Hepatitis A, are most frequently transmitted from person to person through contact. He said, "Viruses and bacteria can survive for long periods on surfaces frequently touched by hands in daily life, such as door handles, elevator buttons, and public transportation handles. Touching these surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes facilitates the entry of microorganisms into the body. The situation is even more critical in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Resistant bacteria can often be transmitted from one patient to another through the hands of healthcare workers. Therefore, hand hygiene is the most basic and indispensable measure in controlling hospital infections (nosocomial infections)."

Tunca stated that hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, saying, "The palms, back of the hand, between the fingers, under the nails, and wrists should be thoroughly rubbed with soap, then rinsed with water. The most common mistakes are washing without soap, keeping the time short, neglecting the nail beds, and re-touching dirty surfaces after washing hands."

Tunca stated that if soap and water are available, traditional handwashing should be the first choice, saying, "In environments where water is not available, hand antiseptics containing at least 60% alcohol can be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, the disinfectant is not effective and must be washed with soap."

Addressing the risks of neglecting hand hygiene to public health, Dr. Tunca said, "Neglecting hand hygiene leads to the rapid spread of infections in public spaces. Microorganisms are easily transferred from hand to hand, especially in environments like schools, hospitals, and public transportation. This poses serious health risks for children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses. A significant portion of infectious diseases can be prevented when handwashing is instilled in society as a whole." Dr. Tunca emphasized the need for educational efforts to raise public awareness of handwashing, saying, "Proper handwashing habits should be instilled in children, especially at a young age, and this should be constantly reminded in schools and healthcare institutions. October 15th, World Handwashing Day, is an important opportunity to refresh this awareness."