from Infectious Diseases Society of America
Handwashing is one of the most effective
ways to prevent illness, yet previous
studies suggest it is not used often
enough. A group of second graders in
Virginia took part in an experiment that
helped them understand the importance of
washing hands. The students provided
bacteria samples of their hands before
either washing with soap and water or
using a hand sanitizer gel. The samples
were allowed to sit for five days before the
students viewed them under a microscope.
Samples from the student’s hands after
washing showed reductions in bacteria
from eighty-nine to one hundred percent.
More importantly, teachers reported a
seventy-one percent decline in illnessrelated
absences. The study was
presented to the Infectious Diseases
Society of America.