Global Handwashing Day is a worldwide day of advocacy dedicated to increasing awareness about the key role handwashing can play in preventing diseases and saving lives. Occurring on October 15 each year, the day is an opportunity to encourage people to wash their hands the right way at the right times.
As flu season kicks in and Global Handwashing Day approaches, businesses should highlight the importance of hand hygiene in preventing contagious infections like influenza, the common cold, norovirus and more.
Formidable Opponents
To face the annual challenges caused by the flu and the common cold, managers should know what they?re up against. The common cold and influenza are both viral respiratory infections that cause similar sets of symptoms (cough, sore throat, fatigue, etc.). They are both highly contagious and can be spread through the air via a cough or a sneeze or by touching hands or surfaces touched by an infected person.
However, the flu is generally a more severe infection. Complicating matters, there is a 1-4 day period from infection to flu-like symptoms, meaning that an employee may show up to work or a visitor may enter a facility with the flu without knowing they are contagious. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths occur annually worldwide from complications caused by the flu. In addition, adults get an average of 2-3 colds per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Since 80% of these common infections are spread by hands, businesses should understand how proper handwashing can be a powerful preventative measure to minimize the impact of common viruses. Managers should recognize that each step they take toward implementing frequent and correct handwashing among staff and guests is a step toward a healthier facility.
Fight Infections with Clean Hands
Research reveals that handwashing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infections, including cases of the cold and influenza. Business owners and managers should emphasize these best practices for hand hygiene throughout their operation.
Start Today
Global Handwashing Day is an initiative intent on maximizing awareness of the all-important habits of hand hygiene. For businesses, these habits can mean the difference between a healthy workforce and a spike in absenteeism and presenteeism. So, as flu season begins, business owners and managers around the world should empower their staff and guests to wash their hands frequently and correctly. To minimize the impact of the flu and the common cold, consider every day to be Global Handwashing Day.
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