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Hand Washing Simplest Way to Stop Spread of Germs

By Sgt. Will Hill, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 36,000 people die of seasonal flu-related causes each year. Currently, the World Health Organization reports H1N1, the pandemic flu that is sweeping the nation, has claimed 4,735 lives in 74 countries.

Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of flu that affects a large portion of the population. To prepare for a pandemic, the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine advises, among other things, storing at least a two-week supply of water and having extra prescription and non-prescription drugs and health supplies on hand. And of course the Center suggests getting the flu vaccine.

Sgt. Lenell Applewhite, the assistant non-commissioned officer-in-charge of immunizations at Camp Atterbury, said while getting the flu vaccine helps to prevent one from getting the flu there is an even simpler way to avoid getting sick if you're unable to get the vaccine right away.

"The number one way not to contract the flu prior to getting the vaccine is proper hand washing," said Applewhite.
Germs are often passed along from one person to another through physical contact and fifteen seconds of vigorous hand washing with soap and water washes away cold viruses and bacteria, as well as many other disease-causing microbes.

Unfortunately there is no cure for the flu virus only preventive measures one can take to stop the invasion.

Too often, Applewhite said, people mistake the common cold with the flu and try to treat them the same.

"They both have similar symptoms, like sore throat, runny nose and coughing, but chicken noodle soup will not stop the flu assault, only medication," said Applewhite.

"Some other home remedies or wives' tales include drinking onion juice, taking a hot shower, and - in the Army - doing physical activity. Soldiers think they can sweat the flu out of them, but [prescribed] medication along with proper hand washing is the only way," said Applewhite.

While soup and sweat are not cures for the flu virus they do have some benefits.

"Exercise will build your immune system and will speed up your metabolism making more white blood cells to fight off the flu," said Applewhite. "And a healthy body will defend off the flu better than an unhealthy body so proper diet and nutrition will help," said Applewhite.

Sgt. Richard Murrietta, a health care provider at Camp Atterbury, agreed that there are advantages to eating chicken noodle soup when infected with the flu or a cold.

"Chicken noodle soup will break up mucus, keep your body hydrated, and will give your immune system energy to help fight off the flu," he said. "But without seeking medical help you will only get sicker," said Murrietta.

If you are sick, the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine strongly encourages servicemembers to stay home and away from others.

So while the dreaded flu virus could attack at any moment - lurking on a keyboard, or a door knob, waiting to take a Soldier out of commission - it's just as easy to combat the infection by sanitizing your surrounding environment and practicing good personal hygiene like covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and then, of course, washing your hands. -