Hand hygiene
Disease Information
Overview
Germs can make you sick. And being sick is no fun. It often means missing school, work or other planned activities.
Most people don't realize that four out of five germs that cause illness are spread by hands.
- Common cold
- Stomach flu
- Hands can be cleaned by using either alcohol-based sanitizers, or soap and water
How Boston Children's Hospital approaches hand hygiene
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand hygiene is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. Doctors at Children's can provide you with tips on how you and your family can keep your hands from spreading germs.
