Handshakes more dangerous than kissing!

Handshakes more dangerous than kissing!
Several studies have shown that hands are the single most important transmission routes for all types of infections when they are not kept clean by washing with soap and water. In addition, an unwashed hand also spreads more diseases than other modes of welcoming guests, such as kissing, reports Sade Oguntola.

Everyone knows proper washing of the hands is important to ensure clean hands, which is also a way of stopping the spread of infections. Several studies have even showed that hands are the single most important transmission routes for all types of infections. But the act of washing our hands cannot be said to be foolproof as studies on hand washing suggest many people are still ending up with germs, particularly those spread by faeces, on their hands after leaving the bathroom or caring for a baby. Doorknobs, bathroom faucets and toilet flush handles are key sources of germ transmission in the home.

One study that looked in homes of infants recently vaccinated against polio, a virus known to be passed out in the baby’s faeces, found the virus on 13 per cent of bathroom, living room and kitchen surfaces. While the virus from the vaccine didn’t pose a health risk, the study showed how faeces-borne viruses can travel through the home. Equally another study found that in homes where salmonella cases had been diagnosed, the bacteria were still lurking in toilet bowls three weeks after the outbreak. Water splashing on the toilet seat was a source of contamination.

Germs are normal and they are everywhere. There are times and places for rigorous hand washing, like hospitals, if you are sick or immune-compromised, or if you are working with someone who was rude enough to come to work sick. Quite unlike what may be expected, the chances of contracting germs is yet higher through hands that were not thoroughly cleaned than even in sharing a kiss.According to a report by International Scientific Forum for Home Hygiene, the possibility of people passing on an infection by shaking someone’s hand is even higher than in sharing a kiss.

A team of international researchers has carried out a study and found that people who greet each other with handshakes are more likely to pass on germs, such as flu and stomach bugs, than those who settle for a kiss. The study, funded by the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene, came to the conclusion after analyzing the effects of handshakes and kisses on a group of people, according to media reports.

According to the lead researcher, Prof Sally Bloomfield of the London School of Hygiene, “Shaking hands is the main form of physical contact with each other but you don’t know what the other person has been touching before you greet them. People avoid kissing each other when they have a cold, but in fact they are more likely to pass on an infection by shaking someone’s hand.”

Given that the hands are critical in the chain of infection as they transmit infections from surfaces to people and between people, the study emphasized that people must always remember that good hygiene is more than just washing our hands.

Similarly, another report compiled by a group of hygiene experts from the United States and the UK published in the American Journal of Infection Control, has recommended that we have to pay greater attention to good hand hygiene if we have to avoid catching flu, tummy bugs or protecting ourselves from disease causing germs. It suggested that in the event of outbreak of diseases such as flu, good hand hygiene should be the first line of defense during the early critical period before mass vaccination becomes available.

According to the researchers, good hygiene at home also means fewer infections, which means fewer patients demanding treatment at hospitals, and fewer resistant strains developing and circulating in the community. They said that people often put their fingers in their mouths carelessly and even end up forgetting to wash their hands before preparing foods too. They said that stomach germs can be passed on to other persons via this route.

The authors said that breaking the chain of infection from one person to another depends on how well people wash their hands. If they do not do it properly, washing with soap and rinsing under running water, then it is like they did not do it at all.

The report warned that good hygiene is beyond just washing our hands. Although the hands are the main superhighway for the spread of germs – because they are the ‘last line of defense’, surfaces from which the hands become contaminated, such as food contact surfaces, door handles, tap handles, toilet seats and cleaning cloths also need regular hygienic cleaning. Clothing and linens, baths, basin and toilet surfaces can also play a part in spreading germs among family members in the home.

Dr. Fayefunmi, a consultant medical microbiologist at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, however, said that the act of kissing and handshake couldn’t be compared in terms of one’s chances of contracting infections from the two acts. According to him, there are many microorganisms in the mouth and so there is the possibility of transmitting many infections from the mouth, including HIV.

He said both the act of kissing and handshakes have different associated factors that can increase a person’s chances of contracting an infection. “Supposing after using the toilet and the next thing you do is to put your hand in your mouth, all the germs from the body can be transmitted into your mouth and this could cause infections.

Then whoever enjoys deep kissing should ensure his or her partner does not have sores in the mouth as this could cause infections.He explained further that the two could not be compared because contracting diseases from either of the two acts depends on other factors such as the type of germs, the severity of the organism or the population of the germs on the surface of the hand or in the mouth and the immunity status of the individual. For example somebody that is diabetic or with cancer, the immunity will be so low and can pick up any infection easily. The statement that you can catch infection from handshakes and kissing is correct, but the risk of catching infection through these two means are not comparable.

Mrs. Agnes Ewete, Assistant Director, Infection Control Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, acknowledged that hand washing is a tradition that everybody practises but which they do not know its importance, stressing that, it is the beat way of controlling the spread of infections.

According to her, “People must see their hands as objects that can carry germs from one place to anther and to other individuals. Once they understand this, they will understand the need to wash their hands better and more frequently. They will realise the need to apply soap and rub their hands very well to ensure they are properly cleaned.”