It’s that time again. Cold and flu season is upon us and that means paying better attention to our hand-washing skills.
Soap and water is the only proven way to 100 percent kill germs found on our hands. This includes washing up during an illness, while handling cooking materials or after using the restroom.
According to www.webmd.com, people who wash their hands more frequently tend to have fewer colds and become ill less often.
“If we took a Q-tip swab of several commonly used surfaces on campus, including door knobs and drink machines, upon examination, they would be teeming with bacteria,” said Lisa Barnette, the health education coordinator for Student Health Services at ETSU.
The most frequently found microorganisms on surfaces such as these are E. Coli, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and blood infection; salmonella, a bacteria that usually causes food poisoning; and shigella a bacteria that is found after unwashed hands touch food that causes vomiting and diarrhea. All of these bacteria can be traced back to not using soap and water.
Antibacterial hand gels and wipes are a good way to clean on the go, if no water is near. Sanitizers aren’t as expensive as they used to be (usually costing at or around a dollar) and can easily be stashed in handbags or even pockets. Gels or wipes don’t kill 100 percent of germs like soap and water, but are an excellent alternative.
“Make sure the label on your sanitizer says it’s alcohol-based or it’s not as effective,” said Barnette.
Barnette said while using actual soap and water, wash for two minutes or the length of the “Happy Birthday” song sung twice. This is the amount of time it takes to kill the majority of germs present. Keeping fingernails neat and short is also a good trick, she said, because bacteria like to lurk in the nail bed.
“Since cold and flu season is coming up rapidly, wash hands after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose,” Barnette said. “Another good thing to do is give paper plates to sick roommates or family members. Even putting them through the dishwasher will not eliminate all bacteria.”
Using antibacterial cleaner in the bathroom and kitchen three to four times a week will cut down on cross-contamination as well.
“We’ve already seen a huge spike in students coming in the clinic to be treated for cold and flu-like symptoms,” said Barnette. “We’ve had at least 35 people come in during the past week alone.”
The Student Health Clinic is also sponsoring a flu shot to be distributed on Nov. 2 in the Culp Center. The cost is $25 and as Barnette points out, cheaper than many other places are advertising. Shots will be given from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information about hand-washing or any of the bacteria or illnesses listed, call the Student Health Clinic at 439-4225 or go to http://webmd.com.

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