A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control has reported that washing hands is the first line of defense against catching and passing on germs and viruses. In fact, you’re less likely to catch anything from sharing a kiss than shaking hands.

Hand hygiene is quite important since we can quickly and easily spread germs by just going about our daily business. For example, if you open a door that had some germs on it, then go home, grab a snack (with your hand of course), give a family member a pat on the back, head or give them something they then touch, you’re spreading the germs fast.

The research indicated that the best thing you can do to stay healthy, especially during the cold and flu season is to regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap.

This report follows another recent report that indicated ‘physical barriers’ like washing hands, wearing gloves, gowns and masks may be more effective than drugs in the spreading of infectious respiratory viruses like the flu and SARS.

You can read more about the study at EurekaAlert.

I’ll go further and slightly disagree with this report.

I certainly agree that good hand hygiene is essential, for both adults and children and especially if you have a compromised immune system (which is most everyone today). Washing hands with natural soap and warm water is best. Avoid anti-bacterial soap since it kills the natural defenses your body uses to keep you safe from germs and viruses.

The best defense is always a strong immune system. Having an immune system that easily defeats most common germs and viruses involves ridding your system of toxins and blocks that our modern daily life brings us. Most importantly is to eliminate the processed foods from our diet and concentrate adding as much fresh, organic produce, fruits and vegetables, along with nuts, seeds and natural grains.

Reducing or eliminating stress from our life, staying active and getting enough sleep rounds out several key steps in building a strong immune system that in addition to good hand hygiene will keep you healthy and full of energy.

So go ahead and share that kiss!

To your best health,

Mark Idzik

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